The Agriculture and Natural Resources sector is designed to provide a foundation in agriculture for all agriculture students in California. Students engage in an instructional program that integrates academic and technical preparation and focuses on career awareness, career exploration, and skill preparation in seven pathways.

The pathways emphasize real-world, occupationally relevant experiences of significant scope and depth in Agricultural Business, Agricultural Mechanics, Agriscience, Animal Science, Forestry and Natural Resources, Ornamental Horticulture, and Plant and Soil Science.

Integral components of classroom and laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience projects, and leadership and interpersonal skills development prepare students for continued training, advanced educational opportunities, or entry to a career.

Includes services and products related to

• Agriculture Production,
• Agri-business
• Ornamental Horticulture & Landscaping,
• Agriculture Mechanics,
• Power & Engineering,
• Forestry,
• Natural Resources and
• Rural Recreation

Of all the career industries, the Arts, Media, and Entertainment sector requires perhaps the greatest cross-disciplinary interaction and development because the work in this sector has a propensity to be largely project-based, requiring uniquely independent work and self management career skills. New technological developments are also constantly reshaping the boundaries and skill sets of many arts career pathways.

Consequently, core arts sector occupations demand constantly varying combinations of artistic imagination, metaphoric representation, symbolic connections, and technical skills. Successful career preparation involves both in-depth and broad academic preparation as well as the cultivation of such intangible assets as flexibility, problem-solving abilities, and interpersonal skills. Careers in the Arts, Media, and Entertainment sector fall in three general pathways: Media and Design Arts, Performing Arts, and Production and Managerial Arts. The foundation and pathway standards make explicit the appropriate knowledge, skills, and practical experience students should have to pursue their chosen profession through whatever course of post-secondary, collegiate, and graduate training or apprenticeship it may require.

Learning the skills and knowledge for creating, refining, and exhibiting works of art promotes teamwork, communication, creative thinking, and decision-making abilities—all traits needed to function successfully in the competitive and media-rich twenty-first century. Through the manipulation of sight, sound, and motion, those choosing a pathway from this sector reach out in unique ways to enhance the quality of life for those around them.

Includes services and products related to

• Visual & Performing Arts,
• Electronic and Multi-media Production,
• Film, Television & Radio,
• Printed Publications and
• Professional Sports

The Building Trades and Construction sector provides a foundation in the building trades and construction industry for secondary students in California. Students engage in an instructional program that integrates academic and technical preparation and focuses on career awareness, career exploration, and skill preparation in the building trades and construction industry.

The sector encompasses four career pathways: Cabinetmaking and Wood Products, Engineering and Heavy Construction, Mechanical Construction, and Residential and Commercial Construction. These pathways emphasize processes, systems, and the way in which structures are built. The knowledge and skills are acquired in a sequential, standards-based pathway program that integrates hands-on, project-based, and work-based instruction as well as internship, community classroom, work experience, apprenticeship, and cooperative career technical education.

Standards included in the Building Trades and Construction sector are designed to prepare students for technical training, postsecondary education, and entry to a career.

Includes services and products related to

• Commercial & Institutional Construction and Structures,
• Heavy Construction,
• Building Materials Distribution and
• Residential Construction

The Education, Child Development, and Family Services sector is composed of four career pathways: Child Development, Consumer Services, Education, and Family and Human Services. The high staffing needs and growing emphasis on improving education will create exciting career opportunities in those fields. The Child Development Pathway provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to pursue careers in child care and related fields, and the Education Pathway emphasizes the preparation of students to become teachers. The Consumer Services Pathway gives students the employment and management skills needed in careers helping consumers.

Students pursuing careers in the Family and Human Services Pathway learn the skills they need for careers related to family and social services. The standards are designed to integrate academic and career technical concepts. The components of the pathways support classroom and laboratory instruction or provide supervised, work-based learning experiences and leadership development.

Includes services and products related to the

• Preschool,
• Elementary & Secondary Education,
• Colleges,
• Universities & Professional Education,
• Trade & Technical Education & Training,
• Child & Youth Services and
• Educational Support Services

The Energy and Utilities sector is designed to provide a foundation in energy and utilities for all students in California. The pathways emphasize real-world, occupationally relevant experiences of significant scope and depth in Electromechanical Installation and Maintenance, Energy and Environmental Technology, Public Utilities, and Residential and Commercial Energy and Utilities. The standards integrate academic and technical preparation and focus on career awareness, career exploration, and skill preparation in four pathways.

The following components are integral to the Energy and Utilities sector pathways: classroom, laboratory, hands-on contextual learning, project and work-based instruction, internship, community classroom, cooperative career technical education, and leadership development. The Energy and Utilities sector standards prepare students for continued training, postsecondary education, or entry to a career.

Includes services and products related to

• Petroleum Industry,
• Alternative Energy,
• Power Industry and
• Utility Industry

The Engineering and Design sector is designed to provide a foundation in engineering and design for students in California. Students are engaged in an instructional program that integrates academic and technical preparation and focuses on career awareness, career exploration, and career preparation in five pathways.

The following pathways emphasize real-world, occupationally relevant experiences of significant scope and depth: Architectural and Structural Engineering; Computer Hardware, Electrical, and Networking Engineering; Engineering Design; Engineering Technology; and Environmental and Natural Science Engineering. To prepare students for continued training, advanced educational opportunities, and direct entry to a career, the engineering and design programs offer the following components: classroom, laboratory, and hands-on contextual learning; project- and work-based instruction; internship, community classroom, and cooperative career technical education; work experience education; and leadership and interpersonal skills development.

Includes services and products related to

• Engineering Analysis

The Fashion and Interior Design sector contains two career pathways: Fashion Design, Manufacturing, and Merchandising; and Interior Design, Furnishings, and Maintenance.

To meet the growing needs of this industry, the career pathways prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to pursue related careers and succeed in entry-level positions or pursue additional postsecondary education and training for technical and professional-level positions. The pathways include introductory standards for Consumer and Family Studies that lead to the other pathway standards. The standards are designed to integrate academic concepts with career technical concepts. Key components of the pathways support classroom and laboratory instruction or supervised work-based learning experiences and leadership development.

Includes services and products related to

• Apparel Design & Manufacturing,
• Commercial Interior Design & Furnishings,
• Residential Design & Furnishings,
• Textile Design & Manufacturing and
• Textile Care & Maintenance

Persons trained in such fields as accounting, banking, and finance will find that their skills are highly marketable. Students master basic accounting principles and procedures before proceeding to the career path specializations. The specializations emphasize concepts of accounting and finance, including computer applications, taxes, investments, and asset management. Because almost every business organization has an accounting component, students with knowledge of accounting will find that opportunities exist in many other career paths in addition to those in finance and business.

Includes services and products related to

• Financial Services,
• Real Estate Services and
• Business Management

The standards in the Health Science and Medical Technology sector represent the academic and technical skills and knowledge students need to pursue a full range of career opportunities in this sector, from entry level to management, including technical and professional career specialties. The standards tell what workers need to know and be able to do to contribute to the delivery of safe and effective health care. The career pathways are grouped into functions that have a common purpose and require similar attributes.

The career pathways are Biotechnology Research and Development, Diagnostic Services, Health Informatics, Support Services, and Therapeutic Services. Standards for each career path build on and continue the foundation standards with more complexity, rigor, and career specificity.

Includes services and products related to

• Dental Care,
• Medical Care,
• Pharmaceuticals,
• Biotechnology and Preventative Practices and Fitness

The Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation sector provides students with the academic and technical preparation to pursue high-demand and high-skill careers in these related and growing industries. The sector encompasses three distinct, yet interrelated, career pathways: Food Science, Dietetics, and Nutrition; Food Service and Hospitality; and Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation. The foundation standards include core, comprehensive technical knowledge and skills that prepare students for learning in the pathways.

The knowledge and skills are acquired within a sequential, standards-based pathway program that integrates hands-on and project- and work-based instruction as well as internship, community classroom, work experience, apprenticeship, and cooperative career technical education. Standards included in the Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation sector are designed to prepare students for technical training, postsecondary education, and entry to a career.

Includes services and products related to

• Amusement,
• Recreation and Special Events,
• Food Services,
• Lodging Services,
• Travel & Related Services and
• Recreational Sports

Technology and the growing complexity of businesses have expanded the need for employees who can analyze, design, and manage information. Skills for evaluating data, the ability to work with people, and clear communication are companion components for careers in information technology systems. Employment opportunities for technically and professionally trained persons are outstanding in this emerging career path. After mastering basic technology skills, students can select one of many specializations in the field of technology.

Includes services and products related to

• Management Information Systems,
• Data Processing and
• Telecommunications

The Manufacturing and Product Development sector provides a foundation in manufacturing processes and systems, including machine tool, welding, graphic communications, and graphic design, for secondary students in California. Students engage in an instructional program that integrates academic and technical preparation and focuses on career awareness, career exploration, and skill preparation in four pathways. The pathways emphasize real-world, occupationally relevant experiences of significant scope and depth in manufacturing and in graphic communication.

The knowledge and skills are acquired within a sequential, standards-based pathway program that integrates hands-on, project-based, and work-based instruction as well as internship, community classroom, work experience, apprenticeship, and cooperative career technical education. Standards included in the Manufacturing and Product Development sector are designed to prepare students for technical training, postsecondary education, and entry to a career.

Includes services and products related to

• Printing and Publishing,
• Consumer Product Manufacturing,
• Machine Tool Manufacturing,
• Computer & Electronics Products,
• Transportation Manufacturing,
• Equipment Manufacturing,
• Chemical Manufacturing and
• Industrial Materials Manufacturing

The Marketing, Sales, and Service sector is designed to align career path course work with current and projected employment opportunities. Marketing includes the processes and techniques of transferring products or services to consumers and is a function of almost every business. It exists within an environment of rapidly changing technology, interdependent nations and economies, and increasing demands for ethical and social responsibility.

The four pathways in this sector—E-commerce, Entrepreneurship, International Trade, and Professional Sales and Marketing—emphasize training to meet the growing need for marketing professionals with skills in communication, global marketing, marketing strategies, product and service management, promotion, and selling concepts. These pathways provide a firm foundation for advanced education, entry to a career, and success in the global marketplace.

Includes services and products related to

• Retail Sales,
• Distribution and Service,
• Wholesale Sales,
• Distribution & Service,
• Business Management and
• International Trade

The Public Services sector provides a foundation for secondary students in government, public administration, public safety, legal, and human services. Students engage in an instructional program that integrates academic and technical preparation and focuses on career awareness, career exploration, and skill preparation in the industry. The sector encompasses three career pathways: Human Services, Legal and Government Services, and Protective Services. These pathways emphasize processes, systems, and services related to serving the public’s interest.

The knowledge and skills are acquired within a sequential, standards-based pathway program that integrates classroom, laboratory, and project- and work-based instruction as well as internship, community classroom, work experience, and cooperative career technical education. Standards included in the Public Services sector are designed to prepare students for technical training, postsecondary education, and entry to a career.

Includes services and products related to

• State and Local Government,
• Justice,
• Public Order & Safety,
• National Security & International Affairs,
• Religious and Civic Organizations and
• Social Services

The Transportation sector is designed to provide a foundation in transportation services for all industrial technology education students in California. The pathways emphasize real-world, occupationally relevant experiences of significant scope and depth in Aviation and Aerospace Transportation Services, Collision Repair and Refinishing, and Vehicle Maintenance, Service, and Repair. The standards are designed to integrate academic and technical preparation and focus on career awareness, career exploration, and skill preparation in the three pathways.

Integral components include classroom, laboratory, hands-on contextual learning, and project- and work-based instruction as well as internship, community classroom, cooperative career technical education, and leadership development. The Transportation sector standards prepare students for continued training, postsecondary education, and entry to a career.

Includes services and products related to

• Air Transportation,
• Land Transportation and
• Water Transportation