How Can We Increase Participation of Underrepresented Groups in CTE?

Restoring the Dignity of Work – Recommendation #5: Increase Participation in Career & Tech Education

Do people know that construction can be a career? Data indicates that many professionals lacked information about the possibilities in the construction industry when making a career choice.

Awareness of careers in construction is especially limited among groups who are traditionally underrepresented in the industry’s workforce. By expanding exposure to the skilled trades and increasing participation in career and technical education (CTE), our education system can make these beneficial careers more accessible to more students of all backgrounds.

NCCER makes the following workforce development policy recommendation in its 2026 report, Restoring the Dignity of Work:

• Increase the participation of underrepresented groups in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs: Increase the recruitment of underrepresented groups in CTE through greater outreach and mentoring.
  

To learn more about this and other recommendations to realign education, industry and government workforce initiatives, download Restoring the Dignity of Work: Revitalizing the U.S. Workforce Development System to Build the Future.