Technical Training Develops New Role in Education

Experts on education say vocational education isn’t what it used to be… in fact, they’re not even calling it vocational education anymore. The federal government says technical training is now being referred to as Career and Technical Education – a name state educators say fits an area that has become more white-collar with engineering and web design instead of the stereotypical blue-collar grease and grime image of mechanics and welders. Coordinator for Career Education Dennis Hardin says the name change is meant to reflect the realignment of trades in that area of education. Data from the Education Department show national enrollment in CTE courses has spiked since 2000 from about 9.6 million to 15.1 million. Educators believe that trend will continue.