ACTE has updated its Sector Sheet on CTE’s role in developing the information technology (IT) workforce with the latest on labor market demand, the role CTE plays in preparing the future IT workforce and exemplary IT programs.
The demand for IT jobs is growing at a faster rate than occupational demand in other industries. Currently, there are about 5.2 million jobs in IT with an expected increase of at least 15% over the 2020-2030 period. The need for new web applications and enhanced digital security will drive job growth for information security analysts, software and web developers, database administrators, IT support specialists, and software quality assurance analysts and testers. In particular, cybersecurity employment is expected to increase by 31% through the next decade.
CTE programs are rising to meet the needs of the IT labor market. For instance, on the secondary level, at the Cybersecurity Networking Academy at the Applications and Research Laboratory — Howard County, Maryland’s area CTE center — students learn to analyze and mitigate cyber threats related to hardware, software, operating systems and networking through National CyberWatch Center and Cisco-certified curricula. On the postsecondary level, Green River College in Auburn, Washington, is expanding access to education and careers in software development, cybersecurity, data science and networking to students in the region. Green River College is committed to equity through continuous analysis of program data and practices, flexible scheduling and a partnership with a Tribal college to provide more access to IT education to underserved student populations.
ACTE’s Sector Sheet series is generously supported by Pearson.
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