Technology Education

Within each cluster, there are multiple career pathways that represent a common set of skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a full range of career opportunities within that pathway. Career Clusters that relate to instruction in technology education include:

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Architecture & Construction

Architecture & Construction prepares you for careers that allow you to design, plan, manage, build, and maintain structures such as buildings, homes and bridges, or machinery. People employed in this career cluster work on new structures, restorations, additions, alterations and repairs.

Career Pathways
Students may begin to follow a sequence of courses in a pathway that will allow them to specialize in a field of interest.

Construction Pathway

Build America’s future! Build and remodel the houses, offices, roadways, airports, bridges, chemical plants and mills that make up the infrastructure of our nation.

Design/Pre-Construction Pathway

Use your artistic creativity and mathematics skills to transform an innovative concept into a design plan that creates something tangible. Guide construction professionals through the building process.

Arts, A/V Technology & Communications

Arts, A/V Technology & Communications allows you to apply your creativity in a variety of areas. This industry allows you to learn about advanced technologies used in venues ranging from corporate boardrooms, hotels, and convention centers, to classrooms, theme parks, stadiums and museums.

Career Pathways
Students may begin to follow a sequence of courses in a pathway that will allow them to specialize in a field of interest.

A/V Technology & Film Pathway

Manufacture, sell, rent, design, integrate, operate, and repair audiovisual equipment for a range of venues such as hotels, stadiums and theme parks.

Journalism & Broadcasting Pathway

Gather information, prepare stories, and release broadcasts that inform the public about current issues. Work with high-tech equipment to record and transmit various broadcasts.

Printing Technology Pathway

Work in a rapidly-evolving industry that is advancing with technology. Apply creativity and technical skills to transform text and graphics into finished products.

Telecommunications Pathway

Manage sophisticated technology and equipment that communicate and deliver a range of information such as data and video. Assist with installation, maintenance and repair of equipment.

Visual Arts Pathway

Use creativity to turn abstract ideas into real-life concepts. Communicate ideas and emotions through visually-compelling mediums – such as paintings, sculptures, or illustrations.

Government & Public Administration

Government & Public Administration prepares you for the diverse careers found in our government. Virtually every occupation can be found within this field. You may help our nation defend against foreign aggression, represent our interests abroad, or pass and enforce local laws.

Career Pathways
Students may begin to follow a sequence of courses in a pathway that will allow them to specialize in a field of interest.

National Security Pathway

Join the U. S. military. Develop a variety of skills and work experience while serving and protecting our nation through one of eight military branches.

Planning Pathway

Help plan and revitalize urban, suburban and rural communities. Provide insight that helps officials make important decisions about how to develop residential, commercial and recreational land.

Public Management & Administration Pathway

Help maintain and regulate the policies that govern our public policies and resources. Serve as a city manager, county clerk or on your city council.

Regulation Pathway

Protect citizens’ health and safety by regulating what takes place in industry, the environment or technology. Ensure the integrity of industries ranging from financial to transportation.

Revenue & Taxation Pathway

Help ensure that businesses and citizens properly contribute to government revenue. Collect tax dollars, review tax returns and conduct audits.

Information Technology

Information Technology gives you the opportunity to design, develop, and manage different types of software programs and hardware. This field requires a solid foundation in mathematics and science as well as high technical skills. Information technology workers can be found in virtually every sector of the economy, providing assistance at a multitude of levels.

Career Pathways
Students may begin to follow a sequence of courses in a pathway that will allow them to specialize in a field of interest.

Information Support & Services Pathway

Implement computer systems and software, provide technical assistance and manage information systems. Provide technical support to companies of all sizes.

Network Systems Pathway

Connect people and information. Design, install, maintain and manage network systems for businesses and various other facilities.

Programming & Software Development Pathway

Design, develop, implement and maintain computer systems and software. Create innovative products applying knowledge of computer operating systems, programming languages and software development.

Web & Digital Communications Pathway

Design, create and produce interactive multimedia products and services, including digitally-generated or computer-enhanced media used in business, training, entertainment, communications and marketing.

Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security prepares you for service in public safety and security. Responsibilities include prevention of and protection from harm such as crime or natural disasters. Career opportunities range from public safety to legal services to homeland security.

Career Pathways
Students may begin to follow a sequence of courses in a pathway that will allow them to specialize in a field of interest.

Emergency & Fire Management Services Pathway

Help protect the public by being the first to respond to emergencies including fires, traffic accidents, medical emergencies and other crises.

Law Enforcement Services Pathway

Help protect public safety by maintaining order and enforcing laws. Prevent crime, control traffic violations and conduct investigations.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing prepares you for careers in planning, managing and processing materials into intermediate or final products. Careers also include related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance and manufacturing/process engineering.

Career Pathways
Students may begin to follow a sequence of courses in a pathway that will allow them to specialize in a field of interest.

Health, Safety & Environmental Assurance Pathway

Ensure that the equipment is used safely in the workplace. Plan for safety in new production processes, conduct investigations and inspections, and implement programs and policies.

Logistics & Inventory Control Pathway

Work with an inventory or raw materials and finished parts. Move raw materials to the production line, wrap pallets of finished products for shipment, and communicate with traffic managers.

Manufacturing Production Process Development Pathway

Be responsible for product design and design of the manufacturing process. Monitor the manufacturing process and the materials used to manufacture the product.

Production Pathway

Make components or assemble them. Work with machines, make or assemble electronic parts, construct or assemble modular housing, perform welding jobs, or print materials.

Quality Assurance Pathway

Ensure that standards and procedures are adhered to and that delivered products or services meet performance requirements. Test raw products used for manufacturing or produced parts to ensure they meet specifications.

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics prepares you for careers using science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills. Jobs within this career cluster conduct in-depth research to provide solutions to a variety of technical problems within many different fields. A postsecondary degree and relevant work experience are necessary to succeed in this field.

Career Pathways
Students may begin to follow a sequence of courses in a pathway that will allow them to specialize in a field of interest.

Engineering & Technology Pathway

Apply engineering and technical concepts to develop solutions for problems that exist throughout a broad range of fields from building bridges to flying airplanes to working in the medical industry.

Science & Mathematics Pathway

Apply mathematics and science to real-world situations. Career possibilities range from science and math teachers to lab technicians and NASA astronauts.

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics prepares you for careers in which you plan, manage and move everything from people to company products through a range of transportation services. Individuals in this field are involved in the logistics of all types of transportation from road to rail and air to water.

Career Pathways
Students may begin to follow a sequence of courses in a pathway that will allow them to specialize in a field of interest.

Facility & Mobile Equipment Maintenance Pathway

Maintain, repair and service vehicles and transportation facilities. Research the most efficient, safe, cost-effective and environmentally friendly ways to operate equipment and machinery.

Health, Safety & Environmental Management Pathway

Assess and manage a variety of safety and environmental issues. Plan and carry out activities that make our environment a safer and cleaner place to live.

Logistics Planning & Management Services Pathway

Plan, manage and control the distribution of materials and products to ensure that cargo arrives at the right location, on time, and in the safest, most economical manner.

Transportation Systems/Infrastructure Planning, Management & Regulation Pathway

Design and operate all public transportation systems from road and air to sea and rail to create the safest and most efficient means of operation.

The technology education program provides experiences that lead to the development of technologically literate people. At the elementary school level, students are introduced to technology and begin learning to use it in the classroom. At the middle school level, students considering a career in technology may explore the subject in several overview courses. At the high school level, students take courses to prepare them for technical or professional programs of higher education, such as STEM careers, engineering or architecture.

Consistent with their abilities, interests, and educational needs, students completing a technology education program will achieve the following goals:

Comprehend the dynamics of technology, including its development, impact, and potential.
Employ the technological processes of problem-solving, creating and designing.
Analyze the behavior of technological systems and subsystems, including the tools, materials, processes, energy, time, information, and people involved in systems.
Apply scientific principles, engineering concepts, and technological systems in the processes of technology.
Discover and develop personal interests and abilities related to a wide variety of technology-oriented careers.

Course Revisions

The following courses were revised for implementation during the 2020-2021 school year. All curriculum frameworks are available through VERSO from the CTE Resource Center:

Advanced Energy Transmission, Distribution, and Storage (New)
Application of Engineered Systems (New)
Energy and Power Foundations (New)
Energy Demand Sustainability and Efficiency (New)
Engineering Practicum IV (8453)
Introduction to Energy Transmission, Distribution, and Storage (NEW)
Manufacturing Systems I (8425, 8426)
Manufacturing Systems II, Advanced (8427)
Power Generation Design and Function (New)
Technology Assessment (8406, 8407)
Technology Foundations (8402, 8403)
Technology Transfer (8404, 8405)

Safety Best Practice Guide for CTE

The Safety Best Practice Guide for CTE-This is a Word document. is a collection of best practice resources used to assist school divisions in the development of a local safety school safety plan.

Instructional Resources

Technology Education Course Listing-This is a Word document.
Essential Competency List for Technology – Virginia's CTE Resource Center
Industry Credentialing
Equipment Resource Guide - See Equipment for CTE Programs

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

Virginia Association of the Technology Student Association (TSA)

Provides the application and integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts through co-curricular instruction, leadership development, competitive events and related programs. For more information, visit the CTSO web page

High-Quality Work-Based Learning

Career and Technical Education Work-Based Learning Guide is based on the redesigned High-Quality Work-Based Learning (WBL) methods of instruction effective July 1, 2021. This implementation guide focuses on the twelve types of High-Quality Work-Based Learning (WBL) methods of instruction used in Virginia; job shadowing, service learning, mentorship, externship, school-based enterprise, internship, entrepreneurship, clinical experience, cooperative education, youth registered apprenticeship, registered apprenticeship and supervised agricultural experience, along with opportunities for students to earn one credit toward graduation in addition to any credit earned through the associated CTE course in cooperative education, internship, entrepreneurship, youth registered apprenticeship, and supervised agricultural experience for completing 280 hours of work experience and one half credit for 140 hours of work experience in mentorship. It includes Virginia regulations and guidelines for the administration of WBL and provides training materials for High Quality Work-Based Learning coordinators. School divisions should use this guide to implement WBL offerings locally.

Federal and State Labor Laws for Youth Work-Based Learning – Know the Rules is a resource that compares federal and state labor laws for nonagricultural and agricultural occupations, parental exemption, and prohibited and hazardous occupations as they relate to youth work-based learning.

Additional Resources

Outside Resources

Technology Education Higher Education Programs

There are two universities in Virginia that provide higher education academic support for technology education. These universities offer undergraduate and graduate degrees, and statewide professional workshops/courses.

Virginia CTE Technology Education Listserv

If you are not on the Virginia CTE Technology Education listserv, contact Lynn Basham to be added.

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