CAREER CLUSTERS
Career Clusters are groupings of occupations based on common knowledge and skills. 16 clusters with pathways identified in each cluster are being supported nationally by the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education. Idaho has further organized the 16 clusters into 6 Super Clusters. Visit www.pte.idaho.gov under “Career Clusters” for the Super Cluster model.
A variety of entities and agencies have been working on the concept of career clusters for a number of years. Career Clusters provide structure to many different facets of the work that schools are doing to increase student achievement and better prepare students for transition from high school to college and the workplace. The cluster model identifies knowledge and skills that are needed in the workplace. This knowledge and these skills can be tied to standards and curriculum to better prepare students. By providing the links between school and the workplace, students understand the relevancy of what they are learning. Career exploration within the cluster structure allows students to match their interests, skills, and education requirements with possible careers.
Cluster Framework
Career Cluster – groupings of occupations and industries based on common knowledge and skills
Pathways – groupings of career specialties within the cluster that share knowledge and skills
Specialties – the career opportunities in each pathway from entry level through management including technical and professional occupations
Structure within Cluster or Pathway
Foundational Knowledge and Skill Statements – broad statements specifying the knowledge and/or skills required for occupations in the cluster/pathway.
10 Topics for organizing K & S Statements
- Academic Foundations
- Communications
- Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Applications
- Systems
- Safety, Health & Environmental
- Leadership & Teamwork
- Ethics & Legal Responsibilities
- Employability & Career Development
- Technical Skills
Performance Elements – one or more specific measurable statements for each K & S statement
Measurement Criteria/Performance Indicators - items that clarify what is to be measured and define the level of performance expected.
The six Career Clusters for Idaho are as follows:
- Arts & Communication – Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication
- Health Science – Health Science
- Agriculture & Natural Resources – Agriculture Food & Natural Resources
- Business & Management – Business, Management & Administration, Hospitality & Tourism, Finance, and Marketing Sales & Service.
- Human Services - Education & Training, Government & public Administration, Human Services, and Law, Public Safety & Security.
- Engineering & Industrial Systems – Architecture & Construction, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, Transportation Distribution & Logistics.
Contact: Sally Harris, Division of Professional-Technical Education, Boise, ID.
Telephone: (208) 334-3216
E-mail: sharris@pte.idaho.gov
For more information about career clusters please visit the national website www.careerclusters.org.