It's that time of year again in Philadelphia: February is officially Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and the City's Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST) is making moves. This month-long celebration is all about highlighting the achievements of CTE programs and their students nationwide, and Philly is stepping up its game.

In the spirit of CTE Month, IST has launched the 'Construction Career Map,' a visual guide designed to help young Philadelphians navigate the many pathways within the infrastructure and construction industries, industries that are ripe with opportunity but occasionally tricky to get a handle on. According to the City of Philadelphia's official release, the School District of Philadelphia boasts 43 distinct CTE programs across 30 high schools, including, but not limited to construction and manufacturing.

These programs provide a crucial link for students, furnishing them not only with a high school diploma but also with industry-recognized credentials and tangible hands-on training. The problem, however, is awareness. Not every student or job seeker knows how to link up with the apprenticeships or pre-apprenticeships that can launch their careers in construction, hence, the debut of this new tool during CTE Month.

For those eyeing a future with hammer, nails, or blueprint, the 2024 Apprenticeship Guidebook from Councilmember Gilmore Richardson is a valuable resource, and an update is already in the pipeline. "Be on the look out for the 2025 Guidebook coming Spring 2025, which will include the Construction Career Map!" stated a release from the City of Philadelphia. As the city council recently emphasized the significance of CTE Month in Philadelphia, these resources could be instrumental in shaping the next generation of skilled workers in a city that understands the value of career exploration and secondary education.