The Changing Narrative of Postsecondary CTE

In the wake of the pandemic, as the needs of the labor market shift and the cost of four-year degrees rises, many potential students—from young adults to those looking to reskill later in their careers—are asking how to get the best value from a college degree.

The Institute for Citizens & Scholars and the ECMC Foundation brought together journalists covering a range of education issues to explore how students, institutions, and businesses are thinking about postsecondary education during a CTE Month webinar. How will this shift in narrative benefit young people and adults navigating credit and credentialing options? Or change hiring and recruitment practices? Or inform program offerings?

The featured speakers for the February 17th event included: Lee Gardner, Senior Writer, The Chronicle of Higher Education; Jason Gonzales, Higher Education and Legislative Matters Reporter, Chalkbeat Colorado; Rebecca Koenig, Editor and Senior Reporter, EdSurge; Peter J. Taylor, President, ECMC Foundation; and Rajiv Vinnakota, President, Institute for Citizens & Scholars.

The conversation covered topics like the motivations for young people and adults pursuing postsecondary education, the changing perceptions of college and career paths, and the ways programs and potential students can or can’t access data to measure value.

Panelists have covered a range of CTE-related topics as Higher Education Media Fellows. Explore their reporting:

• Lee Gardner: The Mystery of Short-Term Credentials
• Lee Gardner: An Adult Student’s Hard Lessons
• Jason Gonzales: Colorado Needs More Skilled Workers
• Jason Gonzales: In Rural Colorado, One Town is Looking to its Community College to Help Survive the End of Coal
• Rebecca Koenig: Guiding Young People Not to Colleges or Careers—But to Good Lives