Career and Technical Education (CTE) News and Information
November 2026
Career and Technical Education provides all students access to high-quality, rigorous career-focused programs that result in attainment of credentials with labor market value.
CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards
Now is the time for Utah high school seniors to apply for a CTE Scholarship and Tuition Award to a Utah public college or university. The CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards are sponsored by the Utah State Board of Education with funds provided by participating higher education institutions.
Last year, 249 high school seniors applied for a Utah CTE Scholarship and Tuition Award, with 60 of the applicants receiving a college scholarship or tuition award.
Students from Weber, Ogden, and Davis school districts participated in an Aerospace and Defense Career Discovery Day, where interactive learning gave them a firsthand look at this high-demand technical career pathway.
Careers in Construction Day
Watch as @washk12 seventh-grade students participate in hands-on experiences at the Careers in Construction Day event at Career Tech High School in St. George.
Landscape Architecture
Students in the Landscape Architecture class at JATC in the Jordan School District partnered with Slow the Flow to install water-wise plants at the Governor’s Mansion.
Share your CTE moment with us by sending an email to utahcte@schools.utah.gov or tagging @UtahCTE on social media.
New State Education Specialist: Colten Smith
We are pleased to announce that Colten Smith has joined our team as the new CTE agricultural education specialist. Colten brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in education to the Utah CTE team.
Colten has served as an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor in Weber School District for seven years. During those years, he has specialized in creating meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that connect students with community and industry partners in agriculture. Among the many projects he has developed and facilitated some highlights include partnering with a local nursery to produce ornamental hanging baskets for Ogden City’s 25th Street. Another project involved having students design and deliver floral arrangements to cancer patients at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley as part of their classroom learning.
At the state level, Colten has contributed to the development of agricultural education standards and curriculum. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Career and Technical Education, with research interests focused on CTE work-based learning and industry partnerships. Colten is passionate about advancing Career and Technical Education and looks forward to supporting the continued growth and development of agricultural education throughout the state.
Developing Durable Skills Through CTSOs
Members of Career and Technical Student Organizations were asked, “How has participating in a CTSO helped you develop durable skills?”
Cameron said, “As a member of SkillsUSA, I developed several leadership and workplace skills that prepared me for my career. My responsibilities included being the president of one of the advanced classes. Since our school did not participate in state-level competitions, we instead hosted an event for our district, which even included some schools from outside the district. As planners, we were responsible for inviting other schools and organizing the day’s schedule, which required close teamwork among chapter SkillsUSA members and the president. My favorite experience was hosting a mock Shark Tank. My experiences in SkillsUSA helped me build durable skills such as leadership, communication, and professionalism."
Grayden said, “When I started high school, I did not know what I really enjoyed doing or what I wanted to pursue as a career, but CTE courses helped me find multiple pathways that excited me. The first pathway that sparked my interest was Broadcasting and Digital Media. I have always loved making videos with my brother, so when I found out that our school had a video production class I was so excited. My love for digital media also led me to the Graphic Design and Communication Pathway. I ended up loving these classes just as much as my digital media classes, which came as a surprise to me. If these CTE courses weren’t an option, I never would have found a passion for graphic design and communication. I am very grateful for CTE courses because they have given my educational endeavors more purpose and direction. CTE also helped me build more confidence in my post-high school career and educational goals."
Utah high school seniors were asked, “What advice would you offer to future students about taking CTE courses during high school?”
Kate said, “CTE classes are so beneficial, even if after they are completed you decide you are not interested in further pursuing that specific career path. CTE courses not only provide important hands-on experience and information that you can use later on in your career, but also teach skills that you can apply to your personal life, such as good study habits, social skills, and interview skills. CTE courses provide leadership opportunities and beneficial experiences in your community. They help you to gain valuable experience early in life to help you navigate what career choices you may want to pursue. You will never regret taking a CTE course. CTE gives you so many opportunities to meet new people in the industry and gain knowledge through interviewing experts in the field.”
Influential Educator
Elizabeth said, “The teacher who was the most influential to me was Ms. Springer. She has a passion for childhood education. I was lucky enough to work with her by being a lead teacher and an intern. Because there is a preschool in the high school, I gained firsthand experience to what it takes to be a good teacher. I saw all the work Ms. Springer put into running a smooth and enjoyable class for the preschoolers and high school students who take her classes. The more I see behind the scenes, the more I understand the hard work and dedication it takes to be a teacher. Having an example like Ms. Springer makes me feel motivated and excited to explore teaching as a career choice.”
CTE and Life After High School
Jeremiah said, “CTE courses bridge the gap between textbook theory and real-world applications. While standard classes taught me concepts, CTE taught me how to apply them to actual systems. These classes gave me the hands-on opportunity to discover my passion for electric vehicles and understand real-world trends. Developing troubleshooting and critical thinking skills prepared me for the rigors of an engineering degree. I feel ready for life after high school because I have already practiced solving the kinds of problems I will face in my career.”
@UtahCTE Social Media Highlight
West High School hosted a car show to celebrate its 104-year history and raise support for its students.
The fifth annual Utah Week of STEM is November 8-13, hosted by the Utah STEM Action Center. The theme for the week is “STEM Career Connections.” During the week, a new video series will be featured showing the day-in-the-life profiles of university students in STEM majors.
Utah STEM Fest Family Night is Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 4-8 pm at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, UT. At the event, families will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities and explore the exciting world of STEM. Admission is free. Discover. Build. Explore.
