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The Career Cluster Framework

October 2024-The modern Framework consists of 14 Clusters and 72 Sub-Clusters that serve as the primary organizing structures for CTE programs. These structures are supported by five Cluster Groupings aligned to purpose and impact of included careers, and three Cross-Cutting Clusters that provide both skills and careers that can stand alone and intersect with all other Clusters. Twelve Career-Ready Practices to ensure that every program includes the skills that are essential to every career and life.

Previous Clusters - 2003-2024
The National Career Clusters® Framework serves as an organizing tool for Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, curriculum design and instruction. There are 16 Career Clusters in the National Career Clusters Framework, representing 79 Career Pathways to help learners navigate their way to greater success in college and career. The framework also functions as a useful guide in developing programs of study bridging secondary and postsecondary systems and for creating individual student plans of study for a complete range of career options. As such, it helps learners discover their interests and their passions and empowers them to choose the educational pathway that can lead to success in high school, college and career.

This Career Cluster® is focused on the production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing, and development of agricultural commodities and resources including food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products or resources.

This Career Cluster® is focused on planning, managing and providing education and training services, and related learning support services.

This Career Cluster® is focused on management, marketing and operations of restaurants and other food services, lodging, attractions, recreation events and travel related services.

This Career Cluster® is focused on planning, managing and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance and manufacturing, and process engineering.

This Career Cluster® is focused on careers in designing, planning, managing, building and maintaining the built environment.

This Career Cluster® is focused on planning, services for financial and investment planning, banking, insurance, and business financial management.

This Career Cluster® is focused on preparing individuals for employment in careers that relate to families and human needs such as counseling and mental health services, family and community services, personal care and consumer services.

This Career Cluster® is focused on planning, managing and performing marketing activities to reach organizational objectives.

This Career Cluster® is focused on designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content including visual and performing arts and design, journalism and entertainment services.

This Career Cluster® is focused on planning and performing government functions at the local, state and federal levels, including governance, national security, foreign service, planning, revenue and taxation, and regulations.

This Career Cluster® is focused on building linkages in information technology occupations for entry level, technical and professional careers related to the design, development, support and management of hardware, software, multimedia and systems integration services.

This Career Cluster® is focused on planning, managing and providing scientific research and professional and technical services (e.g., physical science, social science, engineering) including laboratory and testing services, and research and development services.

This Career Cluster® is focused on careers in planning, organizing, directing and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations.

This Career Cluster® is focused on planning, managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development.

This Career Cluster® is focused on planning, managing, and providing legal, public safety and protective services and homeland security, including professional and technical support services.

This Career Cluster® is focused on planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods by road, pipeline, air, rail and water and related professional support services such as transportation infrastructure planning and management, logistics services, mobile equipment and facility maintenance.

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