Linking CTE to today's economy.

Linking CTE to today's economy. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] YOU AND I KNOW THAT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PLAYS AVITAL ROLE IN TODAY'S ECONOMY by training the workforce of tomorrowand retraining the workforce of today, but are we taking full advantageof the opportunities to explain this important function to those outsideof the CTE community? It is critical that more people fully understandCTE and its relevancy in today's world. This "Capitol View" column begins a series that willfocus on key issues facing education and workforce development, asoutlined in each month's magazine theme, and how those issues lendthemselves to advocating for and promoting CTE at the local, state andnational levels. It is critical to connect advocacy activities to theissues that are dominating policy discussions and to show broader CTEconnections. Each month will include an "advocacy challenge"to help you and your colleagues expand your advocacy reach and promoteCTE during these difficult economic times. Clearly, writing a letter to your federal representatives orwriting an Op-Ed for the newspaper is advocacy, but communicating thevalue of CTE to local businesses and your community is also advocacy andjust as important in changing perception and ultimately affectingpolicy. In order to improve the perception of CTE, it may be necessaryto reevaluate our advocacy and include new methods to reach thoseoutside of the fold. Much has been said about the Obama Administration's politicalcampaign and its ability to deliver an election win by reaching down tothe local level and energizing audiences who traditionally had not beenactive voters. The campaign was successful because it made the Obamamessage relevant to new audiences and converted them into advocates. Weneed to do the same thing in our own communities. Have you ever promotedt he return on investment that CTE provides to your local businesses ordiscussed what CTE is doing to help your community thrive? All of the current discussion about the economic downturn andemerging labor and skill shortages is tailor-made for CTE advocacy, butwe need more individuals who are pointing to our programs as a solutionto meeting these challenges. In July the Council of Economic Advisors,an agency within the Executive Office of the President, released areport titled "Preparing the Workers of Today for the Jobs ofTomorrow." Not only is the title of the report reflective of whateach CTE educator and administrator does each day, but the contents ofthe report provide great fodder to support our advocacy. Consider the following report excerpts: * The long-term trend toward more employment in health care isexpected to continue, with many health care occupations, includingmedical records and health information technicians, registered nurses,clinical laboratory technici ans, and physical therapists, expected togrow. * Employers value workers who can think critically and solveproblems. Many high-paying occupations require workers with goodanalytic and interactive skills. * While expected growth in construction and some manufacturingindustries would create job opportunities at all skill levels, workerswill be better positioned for good jobs if they acquire additionaltraining and education. As advocates, we do not need to recite report findings such asthese verbatim (although that is useful in certain situations), but wedo need to help others make the connection between such findings andCTE's relevancy. Ultimately, building improved understanding aboutCTE's connection to today's economy leads to improvedperception about CTE and a stronger advocacy voice at the local, stateand federal levels. Advocacy Challenge Ask to be included on the meeting agenda of a local business orcommunity organization (e.g. economic advisory board, Chamber ofCom merce, Rotary International or Kiwanis International). Discuss yourCTE program and the benefits provided. View the Action Center portion ofthe ACTE Web site (www.acteonline.org/action.aspx) for tools to help youmeet the challenge! Stephen DeWitt is senior director of public at ACTE. He can becontacted at 703-683-9311, or at sdewitt@acteonline.org.