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Fall Quarterly News Update

Howdy, Trade and Industrial members of ACTE!

As the vibrant colors of fall sweep across the landscape, they remind us of the transformative possibilities this season brings. Just as the leaves shift, so too does the landscape of career and technical education (CTE). At ACTE, we’re proud to present the 2024 trade and industrial fall newsletter, highlighting what I call Neo-Vocationalism—a movement that captures the flexibility and relevance of Trade and Industrial education in today’s world. CTE continues to be a driving force in shaping the workforce of tomorrow, and this edition offers fresh opportunities to help you inspire and equip the next generation for success.

We are excited to announce that nominations are now open for the ACTE Trade and Industrial Education Division Awards. In partnership with SkillsUSA, ACTE is seeking nominations for these awards, which will be presented during the Trade and Industrial Division business meeting at CareerTech VISION on Dec. 4. Please note, these awards are separate from the ACTE Excellence Awards.

This year's CareerTech VISION conference will take place from Dec. 4−7 in San Antonio, Texas, my home state! The deadline for nominations is Nov. 1, and you may nominate yourself or others. If nominating someone else, please ensure the nominee is notified.

The award categories are listed below. We encourage you to participate!

• Teacher of the Year
• New Teacher of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement

For additional conference information, please visit ACTE's CareerTech VISION.

It’s the season to sign up for your CTSO memberships, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your state directors. From SkillsUSA to TSA, your CTSOs are there to provide student leadership conferences, competitive events, employability resources and connections with business and industry.

Again, we can’t say it enough, but thank you for your commitment to our CTE students, to your CTE programs, and to the community and family that surround you and your schools. If you are interested in sharing news of your CTE program success, or if you are looking to volunteer your talents or your stories, please email me directly at btaylor@tamu.edu.

Kindest regards,

Bart Taylor

VP, ACTE Trade and Industrial Education Division

From our Trade & Industrial sponsors

Join Kaylenn McCabe from the McCabe Foundation for a FREE nationwide webinar for parents, kicking off the year with our first event on Oct. 15. This unique webinar is designed to reach parents and students after school, after dinner, and when you have a moment to “sit and talk”. Starting out with a 30-minute keynote featuring McCabe, the webinar introduces the audience to the many pathways to careers such as military, technical school, apprenticeships, and other local training programs. 

Calling All Creative Minds!

The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is excited to announce a challenge coin design contest for their annual Cyber Readiness Summit. We invite all student participants to submit their designs for a commemorative challenge coin that will be featured at this year’s Summit. A challenge coin is a small, unique medallion that represents an organization or event. Often used to recognize achievements and foster camaraderie, these coins hold significant meaning for their recipients. All entries must be submitted by Oct. 25 by 5:00 p.m. CST. The winner and runners-up will be announced on Oct. 31, with the winning design minted as the official challenge coin for the 2025 Cyber Readiness Summit.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) Program is fostering career opportunities for the next generation of trucking and transportation professionals. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) Program is a unique opportunity for 18-20-year-old individuals who currently hold an intrastate commercial driver’s license and are looking to expand their career nationwide.

Through November 2025, the SDAP program is allowing 18-20-year-old drivers to enroll in a paid apprenticeship program to jump-start their trucking career across the United States. During the pilot program’s probationary periods, apprentice drivers can operate in interstate commerce when accompanied by a qualified, experienced driver in the passenger seat. Before applying, students should identify an approved trucking company, review the list of approved motor carriers, and determine which approved carrier to work with.

If you have any questions, contact safedriver@dot.gov.

Power Your Future: Inspire your students to lead clean energy solutions

The U.S. Department of Education has launched the Power Your Future Challenge — the second challenge in its annual CTE Momentum series to prepare high school students for rewarding careers and increase access to career and technical education. The Department invites teams to submit action plans that will advance the use of clean energy in local schools and communities.

To get started on the challenge, teachers and community partners can explore the available resources to learn more about clean energy and how teams can develop action plans to impact their communities. Potential entrants can also preview the submission form. Submissions are due by Nov. 19. Up to 10 winning teams will receive an equal share of the $50,000 prize pool.

To learn more about the challenge, watch the Sept. 10 virtual information session session and sign up to receive the latest challenge information via email. 

From ACTE

Exercise Your Right to Vote!

Renew Your Membership by Nov. 6

Be sure your membership is current by Nov. 6 so that you can exercise your right to vote in the 2025 ACTE board of directors’ election.

Join Us for the CTE Event of the Year! 

Register by Oct. 13 and Save!

ACTE’s CareerTech VISION happens this Dec. 4–7 in San Antonio, Texas, and we are so excited to welcome you to our career and technical education (CTE) event of the year! At VISION, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Gather with your peers and grow professionally.
• Expand your professional development with hundreds of concurrent sessions, workshops and tours to choose from 
• Ignite your inspiration while you learn from innovative keynote speakers and leaders on our main stage.
• Explore the CareerTech Expo, which features hundreds of exhibits, workshops and demonstrations.
• Celebrate the extraordinary contributions of CTE professionals, programs and organizations at the ACTE Awards Gala.

Register by Oct. 13 to take advantage of discounted rates!

Extend Your VISION Experience with Catapult Masterclasses

Join us for a CareerTech VISION special offer! Gain transformative insights and increased support for your programs through Catapult’s masterclasses. Equipping you with the tools to advance career-connected learning and CTE, Catapult makes education relevant for your students. Choose from the following on-demand masterclasses and receive content access for five months. ACTE members who attend VISION will receive a 10% discount on each masterclass!

• Career Readiness
• Employer Partnerships
• Instructional Excellence
• Student Recruitment and Marketing
• Work-based learning

Click the button to learn more and sign up via CareerTech VISION registration.

WBL 2025 Call for Presentations

Share your work-based learning expertise and model programs at ACTE’s Work-based Learning Conference 2025, happening April 2–4 at the Hyatt Bellevue on Seattle’s eastside in Bellevue, Washington. This event is focused on supporting the delivery of quality experiences that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the skills required in a given career field. The deadline to submit a proposal is Oct 14. 

Student Video Challenge: What is Artemis?

ACTE and NASA HUNCH are excited to host the 2024–25 student video challenge. This year’s theme: “What is Artemis?” This annual video contest offers students the opportunity to showcase the application of CTE and project-based learning programs in high-demand career fields on Earth and in space. The contest is open to students of all ages, including elementary, middle school, high school and postsecondary students and any student who is homeschooled. Submit a two-minute video by April 1.

Apply Now! Postsecondary CTE Leadership Program Opportunity

Tailored for postsecondary CTE professionals, the NextLevel Postsecondary CTE Leadership Program at ACTE, sponsored by the ECMC Foundation, is a nationally recognized program, providing career growth opportunities that are engaging, individualized and memorable. Now a registration-based initiative, registration fees for accepted applicants will be $3,000 (not including lodging or travel for in-person events). The deadline to apply for this premier program is Jan. 17. 

Upcoming Free ACTE Webinars on CTE Learn

• Using Digital Illustration to Spark Creativity, Visual Thinking & Media Synergy, Oct. 24, 5:00 p.m. ET.
• Maximizing Access and Success for Special Populations: Career Exploration and Planning, Nov. 12, 2:00 p.m. ET

Visit Community Groups to learn more and get involved!