EdCircuit Staff 
Today, Vector Solutions, the leading provider of training and software solutions dedicated to helping schools make their operations and communities safer, smarter, and better, announced the expansion of its Career and Technical Education (CTE) training courses. These industry-leading online courses equip learners with hands-on, career-relevant skills and industry-recognized credentials to excel in high-demand fields like manufacturing, food services, and electrical and mechanical trades.
While job opportunities in critical industries are growing, employers are struggling to fill in-demand roles. New hires often lack the technical skills needed to successfully uphold industry safety standards while rapid technological advancements further contribute to the widening skills gap, requiring continuous upskilling across industries. CTE programs have emerged as a way to meet educational and workforce needs with 7.8 million secondary students and 3.3 million postsecondary students having participated in a CTE program during the 2022-23 school year. The commitment to expanding CTE remains a key strategy in addressing workforce shortages and preparing students for in-demand careers – providing them with essential career-relevant skills that boost employability.
Unlike general curriculum, CTE programs often include hands-on instruction for potentially dangerous equipment and the hazardous conditions associated with specialized fields. To equip instructors with the right tools for safely educating students, Vector Solutions is expanding its industry-leading library of online Career and Technical Education courses. These courses incorporate foundational knowledge, practical applications, and advanced technical skills across a wide range of industries. The newest course offerings include:
- OSHA 30: This OSHA-authorized training equips construction professionals with essential safety skills to manage and mitigate jobsite hazards effectively. Upon completion, the training includes an official OSHA 30-hour card.
- Food Services & Production: Aligned with industry-recognized certifications, these courses provide comprehensive training that equips learners with essential skills applicable in settings from commercial kitchens to food processing facilities, covering a wide range of topics including preventing food contamination, food safety management, food allergens and illness, and more.
- Electrical Skills: These courses provide hands-on content aligned with real-world electrical systems, helping learners gain proficiency in areas essential to modern electrical work, including electrical soldering, wiring and connections, lighting basics, system grounding, DC and electric motor basics, and more.
- Industrial Skills: In these courses, students are exposed to blueprint basics, forklift operations, how to use hand and power tools, arc welding basics, industrial math, GD&T systems, metals and materials, and more.
- Mechanical Skills: Designed to help learners build the competencies necessary for high-demand mechanical roles, including HVACR certification preparation, students will learn about chemical reactions, forces and motion, heat transfer theory, refrigerant safety and handling, air systems, and more.
- Mine Safety & Health: Through these courses, students receive an overview of the unique safety needs of the mining sector, with a focus on MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) compliance and essential safety protocols.
- Project Management: These courses provide learners with foundational and advanced skills critical for managing projects across various industries.
- Lean Manufacturing: In these courses, students are introduced to lean manufacturing principles, equipping them with strategies to identify inefficiencies and contribute to continuous improvement in workplace settings.
“To effectively meet workforce needs, CTE programs must equip students with the technical proficiency and safety awareness required in today’s complex industries,” said Velina Lee, General Manager of Career and Technical Education at Vector Solutions. “Vector’s expanded CTE courses are tailored to provide students with the hands-on knowledge and industry-aligned credentials that employers are actively seeking. By bridging the gap between classroom instruction and real-world application, we’re helping students confidently step into high-demand roles and thrive in their careers.”
This announcement expands upon Vector Solution’s established CTE course libraries, offering courses on workplace safety, workplace compliance, career readiness and life skills, OSHA 10-hour construction, and OSHA 10-hour general industry. All of Vector Solutions’ courses easily integrate with schools’ existing CTE curriculum to help students earn industry-recognized credentials and prepare them for success in work-based learning experiences, internships, college, and future careers. To learn more about Vector Solutions’ extensive Career and Technical Education training course library, click here.
ABOUT VECTOR SOLUTIONS for CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE)
Vector Solutions for Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a leading provider of robust career and technical education solutions equipping students with the real world skills and credentials they need to succeed in today’s workforce. Our robust platform streamlines workflows for administrators and educators while providing students with hands-on experience and industry-critical skills. Trusted by more than 1,200 schools in the United States, Vector’s award-winning suite of products deliver essential workplace and technical skills, preparing students for high-demand careers with industry-recognized credentials that enhance employability and workforce readiness. For more information about Vector Solutions for Career and Technical Education (CTE), visit https://www.vectorsolutions.com/industries/education/career-technical-education/
ABOUT VECTOR SOLUTIONS
Vector Solutions is the leading provider of impactful technology solutions dedicated to driving safer, smarter, better decision-making in the world’s most critical industries. Embedded into daily workflows to drive improvements in compliance, safety, performance, and preparedness, our software includes training management, industry-focused online course libraries, EHS management, workforce scheduling, risk communication, operational readiness, and more. Vector’s unique combination of information and technology – delivered when and where it is needed – is integral to our more than 34 thousand clients looking to achieve better outcomes and safeguard lives. Vector is committed to providing resources to support those who need them most and launched a collection of free courses on critical mental health and safety topics through Vector Cares. For more information, visit http://www.vectorsolutions.com. For access to free Vector Cares courses visit https://www.vectorsolutions.com/about-us/vector-cares/.
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