The Education and Training cluster is about using your ability to motivate and your love of people to provide education and training that reaches individuals of all ages and across a range of industries. Careers include teaching in a classroom, leading as a college president and serving in your community as a social worker.
Increased enrollment in middle schools and larger class sizes should increase employment of middle school teachers. During this time period a number of older teachers are expected to retire, which is expected to improve job prospects for younger educators. Employment also is expected to increase for preschool teachers due to higher enrollment. The increased emphasis on early childhood education is driving the demand for pre-school teachers. Job prospects should be better for teachers with a bachelor’s degree and those who have prior experience working with preschool-aged children. Sports are increasingly becoming more popular, which is generating the need for coaches and scouts. With the popularity of athletic programs in high schools and colleges, coaches will be needed to train student athletes.
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![]() Produced by: the following Loudoun County Public Schools: Briar Woods High School, Broad Run High School, Dominion High School, Freedom High School, Heritage High School, Loudoun Valley High School, Park View High School, Potomac Falls High School, Stone Bridge High School, Tuscarora High School, and Woodgrove High School |
Employment Projections: 2016-2026*
According to Trailblazers analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the Education & Training cluster is projected to experience about 13 percent growth in Virginia between 2016 and 2026, which exceeds the anticipated national average growth of 10 percent among all occupations in this cluster. This cluster employed more than 210,300 Virginians in 2016, and is expected to employ about 27,600 more in 2026, for a total of approximately 237,900 workers.
*NOTE: The methodology for classifying occupations within the cluster/pathway system has been updated since the previous data cycle (2014-24), so 2016-26 Trailblazers employment projection data may not be comparable to data from previous cycles.
For more information on occupations in the Education& Training Cluster, visit Trailblazers – Career and Technical Education in Virginia(PDF).
Selected Occupation(s) | Employed in Virginia 2016 |
2017 Median Wage | Predominant Level of Education |
---|---|---|---|
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education |
34,509 | $64,090 | Bachelor's or more |
Teacher Assistants | 29,517 | $26,150 | Associate/Some college |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical |
25,253 | $64,230 | Bachelor's or more |
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical |
15,680 | $62,610 | Bachelor's or more |
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education |
9,627 | $32,440 | Bachelor's or more |
Coaches and Scouts | 8,789 | $31,390 | Bachelor's or more |
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors |
6,633 | $61,110 | Bachelor's or more |
Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School |
6,490 | $92,200 | Bachelor's or more & Work experience |
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School |
5,079 | $65,640 | Bachelor's or more |
Librarians | 4,053 | $64,480 | Bachelor's or more |
- Wage data: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Virginia Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, May 2017.
- Employment projections data: Virginia Employment Commission, Virginia Long-Term Occupational Projections, 2016-2026.
- Predominant education level: Trailblazers through the Demographics and Workforce Section of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.
Career Cluster Planning
A resource for counselors, administrators, and educators
CTE VERSO – includes information to help local school divisions plan and schedule instructional programs. VERSO is organized by program area, with a complete listing of courses, concentration sequences, and credentials available to students as they plan for career entry and continuing education. Users may access course information by cluster or by searching for specific courses or certifications.
Academic and Career Plans of Study
Development Information
Information and tips for instructional leaders, administrators, counselors and teachers/faculty for creating a career pathway academic and career plan of study.
- Education & Training Cluster Information
- Checklist for Developing Career Clusters Plans of Study (Word)
Sample Academic and Career Plans of Study
School divisions are asked to develop sample plans of study based on the courses offered within their schools, the employment needs of the region, and the post-high school educational opportunities needed for these careers. Once these sample plans are developed, they can be customized to the needs of individual students so that all students have the opportunity to have an individualized academic and career plan of study.
Sample Pathway Plans of Study for Education & Training:
- Administration & Administrative Support (Word)
- Professional Support Services (Word)
- Teaching and Training (Word)
- Blank Plan of Study (with fields) (Word)
Also see Sample Plans of Study for all clusters and pathways.
Cluster Analysis Document for Virginia
Report
Resources
The Career Clusters logo and its extensions are the property of the National Career Technical Foundation, as managed by NASDCTEc. Some content on this page is from the publication, R U College & Career Ready? - 2017 Edition; and is used here with permission from the Virginia Business Publications LLC and Trailblazers in the Demographics and Workforce Section of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.