Guide to Career and Technology Studies (CTS)

Pathways

 

A pathway is a selection of courses providing students with opportunities to explore and acquire the attitudes, skills, knowledge and values for a potential career. Students develop skills and gain knowledge in an organized and progressive way as they work toward goals that may include university, college, apprentice training, or moving directly into the workforce. Teachers and students can select and combine CTS courses to create pathways for exploration, specialization, and credentialing.

 

A specialized skill pathway is a collection of courses selected to address student interest in a field of study; e.g., Event Planner, Outdoor Guide, Court Clerk.

 

Examples of specialized skill pathways are available on the Alberta Education: Career and Technology Studies website.

For more information on specialized skill pathways leading to Skills Canada Alberta competitions, visit Alberta Education: Career and Technology Studies.

For more information on Skills Canada Alberta, visit the Skills Canada Alberta website.

 

A credentialed pathway is a series of specific courses selected to provide opportunities for students to achieve a credential or credit awarded by a recognized community or industry organization or post-secondary institution; e.g., Welder, A+ Certification Computer Repair Technician.

 

All credential/journeyperson opportunities are external to Alberta Education, and it is the joint responsibility of the student/teacher/school to ensure that the requirements of the credentialing organization have been addressed.

 

Currently, there are 20 apprenticeship pathways available for students:

  • Agricultural Equipment Technician (AEA)
  • Auto Body Technician (ABA)
  • Automotive Service Technician (ASA)
  • Baker (BKA)
  • Cabinetmaker (CMA)
  • Carpenter (CRA)
  • Communication Technician (CTA)
  • Cook (CKA)
  • Electrician (ETA)
  • Hairstylist (HSA)
  • Heavy Equipment Technician (HEA)
  • Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) (MWA)
  • Instrumentation and Control Technician (ISA)
  • Insulator (INA)
  • Landscape Horticulturist (LGA)
  • Painter and Decorator (PDA)
  • Parts Technician (PTA)
  • Pipe Trades (PLA)
  • Recreation Vehicle Service Technician (RVA)
  • Welder (WDA)

A dual credit pathway is comprised of either single enrolled CTS courses or dual enrolled CTS courses authorized by Alberta Education, as referenced in the Alberta Dual Credit Framework (pp. 6–7). These courses can help students work toward their post-secondary goals or support them as they move directly into the workforce from high school. For more information on dual credit pathways, visit Alberta Education: Dual Credit.


For more information on credentialed pathways, visit Alberta Education: Career and Technology Studies.

 

For students pursuing courses outside of the regular school environment, the revised Off-campus Education Handbook provides guidance for school authorities to offer off-campus education programming for their students and covers work-related activities that take place outside the school classroom environment. The revised Off-campus Education Handbook represents updates to legislation regarding workplace health and safety and incorporates recommendations to support a meaningful and safe educational experience for students.

 

For more information on alternate program delivery, see Alternative Delivery Strategies for CTS.

For more information on the Off-campus Education Handbook, visit the Alberta Education: Off-campus Education website.