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Supporting Career & Technical Education

Question The Quo Campaign Spotlights CTE

ECMC Group launches new campaign to drive awareness of career and technical education as a compelling educational pathway.

The Decade of Career & Tech Education

We have the potential to make the 2020s the decade of CTE. See what Jeremy Wheaton, CEO of ECMC Group, says about exploring these career paths.

Applying New Tech

From leveraging interactive learning tools to exploring the possibilities of AR/VR, we’re pioneering better educational experiences.

Helping to Solve the Middle-Skill Gap

Even as economic prosperity improves, a middle-skill employment gap persists. Middle-skill careers require education beyond a high school diploma but not a four-year degree, and they comprise the largest part of America’s labor market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 10.1 million open jobs in the U.S. as of June 20211, and historically about half these jobs fall within the middle-skill category. Industries like trades, manufacturing and healthcare are reporting tangible shortfalls in hiring. Demographic trends, including the retirement of Baby Boomers, will only exacerbate the shortfall. To help our economy to continue on a solid growth trajectory for all, we must collectively—as an educational system—revitalize training programs and create new pathways to middle-skill careers.

But there’s good news: Gen Z is having a mindset shift, viewing middle-skill jobs in a positive light and giving serious consideration to opting out of the traditional four-year degree path and into more affordable, career-driven options.

1“Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary,” U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, August 9, 2021. Click here for source info. (visited August 23, 2021.)

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Powered by ECMC Group

Through a unique combination of philanthropic work, financial services and educational solutions, ECMC Group and its affiliates deliver outcomes that make a difference for individuals, organizations and communities. ECMC Group's mission is to help students succeed by creating, providing and investing in innovative educational opportunities.

Guided by Nonprofit Values in All We Do

As a family of nonprofit entities, each of ECMC Group’s organizations promotes the long-term success of learners over short-term objectives. For instance, funding from the ECMC Foundation broadly supports the testing, adoption and sharing of new approaches in postsecondary education across a multitude of organizations throughout the United States. Additionally, ECMC operates college access learning centers in several states to help families prepare and plan for postsecondary education.

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