Career Pathways

Career Pathways
Career Pathways are sub-groupings of occupations within a Career Cluster used as an organizing tool for curriculum design and instruction. Occupations are grouped into career pathways based on the set of common knowledge and skills required for career success.
A Concentrator is a student who has successfully completed a Concentrator course in an approved Career Pathway, which includes a:

• Foundational Prerequisite Course (if required), which provides fundamental knowledge and skills needed for student success in secondary and postsecondary education and careers in the Career Pathway.
• Prerequisite Course, which provides fundamental or intermediate knowledge and skills for student success in secondary and postsecondary education and careers in the Career Pathway and should be completed prior to enrolling in a pathway course.
• Concentrator Course, which is a second- or third-level course along the Career Pathway that builds upon technical skills acquired in a prerequisite course and foundational prerequisite, if required.
• Career Pathway Major Course provides aligned specificity in a Career Pathway and can include either an Advanced Studies course, Work-based Learning course, or a course with aligned content.

Work-based Learning (WBL)
Work-based Learning (WBL) is an integral part of all Career and Technical Education courses in North Carolina to show curricular relevance to industry skills.

Public School Units (PSUs) are encouraged to strategically choose work-based learning strategies in alignment with unique needs, considering factors such as local employment demands, available program offerings, resources, and other pertinent considerations. Contact your local CTE administrator for more information.