When I entered high school in the mid-to-late 90s, there was still an auto shop located in the school. The class was long gone and the space was used for storage. However, one could tell what its original purpose was. It was a symbolic remnant of an educational past that no longer seemed relevant to the current curriculum standards. By my senior year, the auto shop space had been completely transformed into an extended weight room for sports. There was nothing left to remind incoming students of the other great opportunities available to them.

A four-year college degree was pushed as the path to success. Students who weren’t considering a college path were attached to an unfortunate stigma. This negative connotation had an effect on many students, including myself, who were not sure what they wanted to major in once off to college. We weren’t aware of the options that were available in career and technical education (CTE). If they chose to pursue CTE,  it was seen as a ‘lesser’ pathway. 

Loss of CTE programs and skilled workers

Fast forward almost 25 years, schools across the country are scrambling to find spaces to re-introduce auto shops and other career and technical educational spaces back into their buildings. The priorities of schools and education have come full circle, and CTE is on the rise again. According to the U.S. Census, there will be a projected 2.1 million unfulfilled jobs by 2030, resulting from a lack of skilled labor as the Boomer generation retires. This includes jobs in manufacturing, auto-motives, infrastructure, construction, and more. If these trends continue as is, we will likely see a decrease in traditional jobs. There will also be an increase in demand for skilled workers to fill these technical positions.

Using the library as a CTE space

So, how are schools addressing this growing issue? Most school budgets will probably not have the funds to build an entire new wing dedicated to CTE, whether this be an auto shop or fabrication shop. Instead, schools are turning to their libraries to create vocational spots, maker spaces, and CTE lounges. The school library has always been the place to go when you are in need of information. Now, schools are bringing it into the 21st century to address the needs of today’s students. Libraries are finding new and unique ways to provide CTE pathways for students showing interest. 

How are schools achieving this? Digital tools, such as maker spaces with 3D printers, robotics, and other STEM products, are being introduced for students to create and innovate. These maker spaces can teach students the skills that will be needed for the 21st century workplace. Libraries are also being utilized to create vocational spots or CTE lounges where students can learn about careers in automotive engineering, medical science, cosmetology, and more. These spaces are equipped with AR and VR products such as zSpace, a mixed reality computer, and Inspirit virtual reality headsets. With these technologies, students can become partially or fully immersed in a CTE experience. Then, they can decide if this would be a career they would be interested in pursuing after high school.

Librarians are here to help

Libraries and library professionals have always been an important part of student education. These trained library professionals are also providing guidance on where to access further education and opportunities. Students can access apprenticeship programs, job shadowing, and even pre-professional classes for their chosen fields. With the demand of these edtech programs, libraries have become the workspace hub where students can access specialized STEM tools and gain valuable information on CTE careers. 

It is very exciting that these opportunities are once again being offered to students around the country without the negative stigma. There are many exciting opportunities in CTE-related fields that do not require a four year college degree. If we truly allow students to explore what they are interested in, it will lead them on a path to a rewarding career in whatever field that may be in.

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