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Our Skills, Our Future

Career and Technical Education helps students connect classroom learning to real careers, real skills, and real opportunities in their communities. If you are here after watching Our Skills, Our Future, this is a good place to start exploring what CTE could look like for your child and how to begin that conversation at home.

Help your student find their path to a fulfilling career. Having a plan can make all the difference and the 3 E's Roadmap can help students understand their interests, explore opportunities, gain real-world experience, and help them plan their future with confidence.  >> Explore the E's Roadmap

LYFT 3 Es Roadmap

 

Explore careers and opportunities in your area with FutureForward. This FREE resource can help families explore student interests, learn about career pathways, and connect with experiences that make career planning feel more real and more local. It is a practical next step for parents who want to keep the conversation going after learning about CTE.  >> Explore FutureForward™

FutureForward Landing Page

 

How do I talk to my child about CTE and career-connected learning?
Parents do not need to have all the answers to start the conversation. A simple discussion about what a child enjoys, what they are curious about, and how they like to learn can be the best place to begin.

  • What classes or projects have you enjoyed most this year?
  • Do you like learning by doing, building, creating, solving problems, or helping people?
  • Have you seen any careers lately that seem interesting?
  • What kinds of skills would you like to build before you graduate?
  • Would you like to explore careers through classes, certifications, college credit, work-based learning, or hands-on projects?

What opportunities does my child’s school offer?
Career and Technical Education can look different from one school to another. Some schools offer a wide range of CTE courses and pathways, while others are just getting started. The best way to learn what is available is to ask a few focused questions at your child’s school. It may be helpful to start by connecting with your school counselor or CTE teacher.

  • What CTE courses or pathways are currently offered at our school?
  • Are there options for certifications, college credit, internships, or job shadows for students?
  • Who is the best person to talk with about CTE options for my child (for example, a counselor, CTE teacher, or coordinator)?
  • How do these CTE opportunities connect to local careers and employers in our region?
  • If my child is interested in a certain area, what would you recommend as their next class or experience?

How can my child explore careers before graduation?
Students do not have to wait until after high school to start exploring what fits. Career-connected learning can include career exploration, guest speakers, work-based learning, job shadows, mock interviews, internships, and other real-world experiences that help students see what is possible.

  • What careers match my child’s interests, skills, and values?
  • Are there local employers, mentors, or experiences they can learn from?
  • Could they try a short-term experience before choosing a pathway?
  • What hands-on opportunities are available in our area?
  • Where can we find trusted tools to explore career options together?

See more CTE stories from across Minnesota
Seeing real students and teachers in action can help spark ideas and excitement at home. The Minnesota Service Cooperatives YouTube channel features more Our Skills, Our Future videos that highlight different CTE programs, career paths, and communities across Minnesota. Watching together might help your child notice a class, skill, or pathway that feels like a good fit for them.

Visit the Minnesota Service Cooperatives YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@MinnesotaServiceCooperatives!