Career and Technology Studies & Knowledge and Employability
Career and Technology Studies (CTS) and Knowledge and Employability (K&E) pathways build on the Career & Technology Foundations (CTF) inquiry-based, hands-on studies. CTS involves five main clusters composed of occupational areas with industry commonalities.
The 5 CTS Clusters
Cluster Courses Include
- BIT: Computing Sciences, Enterprise & Innovation, Finance Management, Information Processing, Marketing & Management, Networking.
- HRH: Community Care Services, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Foods, Health Care Services, Human & Social Services, Legal Studies, Recreation Leadership, Tourism.
- MDC: Communication Technology, Design Studies, Fashion Studies
- NAT: Agriculture, Environmental Stewardship, Forestry, Primary Resources, Wildlife
- TMT: Auto Body Services, Automotive Services, Aviation, Construction, Electro-Technologies, Fabrication, Logistics (Supply Chain Management)
The Career and Technology Program of Studies offers students the opportunity to explore complementary courses that can develop and cultivate their individual talents, interests and abilities. These courses can help students:
- prepare for entry into the workplace and/or related post-secondary programs
- develop daily living skills
- investigate career skills
Alberta Education has reorganized the Career and Technology Program of Studies from the original 22 “strands” to 5 occupational “clusters”. The occupational clusters are based on the National Occupational Classifications (NOC). The 5 occupational clusters include: Business, Finance and Information Technology (BIT), Trade, Manufacturing and Transportation (TMT), Media, Design and Communication Arts (MDC), Health, Recreation and Human Services (HRH) and Natural Resources (NAT). The intent of this reorganization is to make it easier for students to develop a personal “pathway” when planning for post-secondary education or employment after high school. A pathway is a series of high school courses that reflect a student’s interests and abilities.
Advanced Level courses may be used to satisfy Alberta high school diploma requirements. Depending upon the university and faculty chosen, advanced level C.T.S. courses may be used for university entrance purposes. They may also be used for the Rutherford scholarship.
