CTE Curriculum Development in Georgia
Serving 710,000 students across 437 programs
Georgia's Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) system is one of the largest and most well-organized in the Southeast, serving students across the state's 180 school districts. The state uniquely includes agricultural education as a core component of its CTE framework, reflecting Georgia's strong agricultural heritage alongside its modern economic strengths in technology, film production, healthcare, and logistics.
Georgia organizes its CTAE programs around 17 career clusters and more than 130 career pathways, providing students with a comprehensive range of options for career exploration and preparation. The state requires students to complete a career pathway, which includes three sequential courses, as part of its graduation requirements, ensuring that all Georgia students gain meaningful CTE experience.
The state has invested heavily in CTAE program quality, including the development of Georgia-specific curriculum resources and the establishment of strong partnerships with the Technical College System of Georgia, which provides seamless transitions from secondary CTE into postsecondary programs.
Standards & Alignment
Georgia has developed comprehensive CTAE course standards for every approved pathway, with standards reviewed and updated on a regular cycle through collaboration with industry advisory committees and postsecondary partners. All CTAE programs must align with these state-approved standards and integrate Georgia Standards of Excellence in academic subjects.
The state maintains a rigorous program approval process and uses end-of-pathway assessments to measure student mastery of technical skills. Georgia also promotes alignment with industry-recognized credentials through its CTAE certification inventory.
Key Challenges
Georgia's CTE system faces challenges in maintaining program quality and teacher supply across its large and diverse geographic area. Rural districts in south and central Georgia often struggle to offer the same breadth of CTAE pathways available in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Teacher recruitment and retention are ongoing concerns, particularly in high-demand technical fields.
The state is also focused on closing equity gaps in CTAE participation and outcomes, with particular attention to ensuring that underrepresented student groups have access to high-quality pathways that lead to meaningful credentials and career opportunities.
Struggling with these challenges in Georgia?
Perkins V in Georgia
Georgia's Perkins V state plan emphasizes expanding access to high-quality CTAE programs, strengthening industry partnerships, and improving outcomes for special populations. The state has used the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment process to identify priority areas and direct Perkins funding toward program improvement and expansion.
Key priorities include increasing the number of students completing career pathways with industry-recognized credentials, expanding work-based learning programs like the Georgia Youth Apprenticeship Program, and strengthening articulation between secondary CTAE and the Technical College System of Georgia.
View Georgia's Perkins V State PlanCTE Pathways in Georgia(97 pathways)
Advanced Accounting
This specialized pathway prepares students for advanced accounting careers throughout Georgia's corporate and professional sectors. Students build on accounting fundamentals to develop expertise in cost accounting, audit procedures, and specialized accounting applications. The program emphasizes analytical skills and technical knowledge essential for accounting professionals. Georgia's corporate headquarters and professional services firms create demand for skilled accountants. The pathway prepares graduates for accounting specialist positions with advancement through CPA pathways. Curriculum covers advanced financial accounting, managerial accounting, audit fundamentals, tax considerations, and accounting information systems. Students develop analytical and problem-solving skills. The pathway emphasizes accuracy and ethical practice. Students understand accounting standards and compliance requirements. Field experiences with accounting firms develop practical expertise. Students engage with Georgia's accounting and business communities. The pathway prepares graduates for accounting positions leading to CPA certification. Atlanta's corporate and professional services sectors provide abundant accounting opportunities.
FinanceAgribusiness Systems
This business-focused pathway prepares students for management and leadership roles in agricultural enterprises throughout Georgia. Students study agricultural economics, business management, marketing, and financial planning essential for operating successful farms and agribusinesses. The program combines agriculture fundamentals with comprehensive business skills, preparing graduates for positions managing operations, marketing products, or starting agricultural ventures. Georgia's diverse agricultural sector creates opportunities for business-minded professionals. Curriculum covers business fundamentals, accounting, marketing, strategic planning, and agricultural economics. Students learn financial analysis, budgeting, and investment decision-making specific to agriculture. The pathway addresses marketing agricultural products and understanding consumer preferences. Students analyze business models and develop business plans. Field experiences with agricultural businesses develop practical understanding of operations. Students engage with Georgia's agricultural business community and industry associations. The pathway prepares graduates for management positions or agricultural entrepreneurship. Georgia's agricultural sector and strong business community provide abundant mentorship and learning opportunities.
Agriculture, Food & Natural ResourcesAgricultural Mechanics and Electrical Systems
This specialized pathway prepares students for careers maintaining and installing electrical systems in agricultural facilities throughout Georgia. Students combine agricultural knowledge with electrical theory and installation practices, preparing them for roles supporting farm operations, processing facilities, and rural infrastructure. The program addresses the increasing electrification of agricultural operations and growing demand for professionals with both agricultural and electrical expertise. Students develop skills in equipment installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Curriculum covers electrical fundamentals, wiring practices, equipment installation, and safety protocols specific to agricultural environments. Students learn diagnostic procedures for electrical failures affecting farm operations. The pathway integrates agriculture context with electrical competencies. Students understand regulations and safety codes protecting farm workers and facilities. Field experiences with agricultural operations and electrical contractors develop practical expertise. Students engage with Georgia's agricultural industry and electrical professionals. The pathway prepares graduates for positions installing and maintaining equipment or advancing to supervisory roles. Georgia's diverse agricultural regions and modernizing farm operations create consistent demand for skilled technicians.
Agriculture, Food & Natural ResourcesAgricultural Mechanics and Metal Fabrications
This specialized pathway prepares students for careers fabricating, welding, and repairing metal equipment and structures in agricultural settings throughout Georgia. Students combine agricultural knowledge with metal fabrication and welding skills, creating careers at the intersection of agriculture and skilled trades. The program addresses demand for professionals who understand both farm equipment needs and fabrication processes. Students develop expertise in welding techniques, metal working, and equipment repair essential for agricultural operations. Curriculum covers welding processes, metal fabrication techniques, equipment repair, and agricultural applications. Students learn to read technical drawings, plan fabrication projects, and execute quality welds and fabrications. The pathway emphasizes safety and quality control in fabrication work. Students understand agricultural equipment specifications and maintenance requirements. Field experiences with equipment dealers, agricultural contractors, and fabrication shops develop practical skills. Students engage with Georgia's agricultural industry and welding professionals. The pathway prepares graduates for fabrication shop positions or mobile repair services. Georgia's extensive agricultural regions and equipment-dependent operations create consistent demand for skilled fabricators.
Agriculture, Food & Natural ResourcesAgricultural Mechanics Systems
This comprehensive pathway prepares students for careers repairing, maintaining, and troubleshooting all types of agricultural equipment throughout Georgia. Students master mechanical fundamentals, hydraulic systems, engine operation, and equipment diagnostics essential for modern farms and agricultural operations. The program combines mechanical knowledge with agricultural context, preparing graduates for positions at equipment dealers, on farms, or mobile repair services. Georgia's equipment-dependent agriculture creates consistent demand for skilled mechanics. Curriculum covers small and large engine repair, hydraulic systems, electrical troubleshooting, and equipment maintenance. Students learn diagnostic procedures, preventive maintenance schedules, and safety protocols protecting workers and equipment. The pathway emphasizes problem-solving and technical communication. Students understand equipment manuals, technical drawings, and specifications. Field experiences with equipment dealers and farm operations develop practical expertise. Students engage with Georgia's agricultural industry and equipment manufacturers. The pathway prepares graduates for well-paying careers with advancement to shop management or sales. Georgia's agricultural sector and equipment-dependent operations provide abundant employment and advancement opportunities.
Agriculture, Food & Natural ResourcesAgriculture Energy Systems
This innovative pathway prepares students for careers developing and managing renewable energy systems on agricultural properties throughout Georgia. Students study solar, wind, biogas, and biomass energy technologies adapted to farm operations. The program addresses growing interest among farmers in sustainable energy production and reduced operating costs. Students understand both energy systems engineering and agricultural business applications, preparing them for roles consulting with farmers or managing on-farm energy production. Curriculum covers renewable energy fundamentals, system design and installation, efficiency optimization, and agricultural applications. Students learn cost-benefit analysis for farm energy decisions and understand financial incentives for renewable energy adoption. The pathway emphasizes sustainability and environmental benefits alongside economic analysis. Students understand electrical integration of renewable systems and safety protocols. Field experiences with farms installing renewable energy and energy companies develop practical expertise. Students engage with Georgia's renewable energy and agriculture industries. Georgia's growing interest in agricultural sustainability creates opportunities for energy-focused professionals.
Agriculture, Food & Natural ResourcesLatest CTE News in Georgia
Why 98.45% of Georgia's CTE Pathway Completers Walk Across the Stage -- and What It Means for Health Science Students
Georgia CTAE pathway completers posted a 98.45% graduation rate in 2025, beating the statewide average by more than 11 points. For students in high-demand fields like healthcare science, this track record strengthens the case that structured career pathways keep learners engaged through diploma day and beyond.
Read more →A Million Dollars, 21 Schools, and the Welding Programs Riding Georgia's Skilled Trades Wave
The Georgia Foundation for Public Education distributed over $1 million in Workforce for Georgia Grants to 21 schools in 2024, with welding, cybersecurity, and EV manufacturing among the funded pathways. The grants target career areas where employer demand significantly outpaces the available labor supply.
Read more →Georgia Now Has an Official Playbook for Which Careers Matter Most -- Here Is What IT Students Should Know
Georgia's State Workforce Development Board approved an official High Demand Career List in December 2024, identifying occupations that meet high-demand, high-wage, and high-skill criteria. For students in computer science and IT pathways, the list validates career directions where employer need and compensation already align.
Read more →Inside Hyundai's 89,000-Square-Foot Bet on Georgia's Automotive Workforce -- and Why CTE Students Should Pay Attention
Hyundai opened the Mobility Training Centre of Georgia in Ellabell in November 2025, a facility capable of training 824 workers at once for the adjacent Metaplant expected to generate 8,500 jobs. For automotive CTE students, the center represents a tangible employer pipeline in Georgia's expanding EV manufacturing sector.
Read more →6,383 Georgia Students Competed in CyberStart -- and the State's $124K Cybersecurity Salaries Explain Why
Georgia led the nation in CyberStart America participation with 6,383 students from 274 high schools, a 564% increase over the previous cycle. The surge aligns with roughly 25,000 open cyber positions statewide and median cybersecurity analyst salaries of $124,270 in Georgia.
Read more →91% of Georgia Contractors Cannot Find Enough Workers -- Here Is Why Construction CTE Students Have Leverage
With 91% of Georgia construction firms reporting difficulty hiring and hundreds of thousands of positions needing to be filled over five years, students in construction technology pathways hold unusual bargaining power in a market where NCCER-certified graduates are in short supply.
Read more →Georgia CTE Resources
Essential links for CTE educators and administrators in Georgia.
State CTE Agency
Georgia CTAE Division
Official CTE division of the Georgia Department of Education
Course Standards & Frameworks
Georgia CTE Course Standards
State-approved standards, course sequences, and pathway frameworks
Perkins V State Plan
Georgia Perkins V Plan
Federal funding priorities, performance targets, and accountability measures
State ACTE Chapter
Georgia ACTE
Professional development, advocacy, and networking for CTE educators
Youth Apprenticeship
Georgia Youth Apprenticeship Program
Work-based learning opportunities connecting students with employers
National Profile
Georgia on Advance CTE
Enrollment data, Perkins funding, and state comparisons
How Sage Helps Georgia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Georgia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Georgia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Georgia standards and industry needs evolve
"Together with Sage, we're rewriting the future — accelerating timelines, giving teachers precious time to focus on students, and helping schools retain and support the passionate educators who make it all possible."
Lynne Wilson
CTE Director, CTAERN
Frequently Asked Questions
Georgia offers 437 CTE programs across 17 career clusters, including pathways like Advanced Accounting, Agribusiness Systems, Agricultural Mechanics and Electrical Systems, and more. These programs provide students with hands-on career preparation aligned with industry needs.
Georgia aligns CTE curriculum with industry standards through a comprehensive process that includes working with industry advisory boards, mapping to state and national standards, and regularly updating programs to reflect current workplace requirements. This ensures students graduate with relevant, job-ready skills.
Perkins V is federal funding that supports Career Technical Education programs in Georgia. This funding helps schools purchase equipment, develop curriculum, provide professional development for teachers, and ensure CTE programs meet quality standards that prepare students for high-skill, high-wage careers.
Sage uses AI to help Georgia educators build standards-aligned CTE curriculum in weeks instead of months. Our platform generates customized lesson plans, assessments, and resources tailored to Georgia standards, saving teachers countless hours while ensuring high-quality, industry-aligned content.
Explore Other States
Alabama
ALAlabama has built a robust Career and Technical Education system that serves students across all 67 counties through a network of comprehensive high schools, career centers, and the Alabama Community College System. The state organizes its CTE offerings around 16 federally recognized career clusters, with strong emphasis on advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology pathways that align with the state's growing industrial base. The Alabama CTE program is guided by the Alabama State Plan for Career and Technical Education, which prioritizes work-based learning, industry certifications, and seamless transitions from secondary to postsecondary education. Alabama has invested significantly in upgrading CTE facilities and equipment, particularly in the automotive manufacturing and aerospace sectors that anchor the state's economy. Alabama's CTE system also benefits from strong partnerships with major employers including Honda, Hyundai, Airbus, and the Huntsville aerospace corridor, providing students with real-world connections to high-demand career fields.
SoutheastFlorida
FLFlorida operates one of the largest and most comprehensive CTE systems in the United States, serving students through public high schools, career and technical centers, the Florida College System, and state universities. The state's CTE programs are organized around career clusters and pathways defined in the Florida CTE Curriculum Frameworks, which are updated annually to reflect industry trends and labor market data. Florida's CTE system benefits from strong state-level support, including dedicated funding through the Florida Education Finance Program and targeted investments in high-demand program areas. The state's career and technical centers offer adult education and workforce training alongside secondary CTE, creating a comprehensive career preparation ecosystem. With its diverse economy spanning tourism and hospitality, healthcare, aerospace, agriculture, and technology, Florida's CTE programs prepare students for a wide range of career opportunities. The state has been particularly innovative in developing CTE pathways in emerging fields such as cybersecurity, unmanned vehicle systems, and simulation technology.
SoutheastNorth Carolina
NCNorth Carolina's Career and Technical Education system is one of the most well-developed in the Southeast, serving students through all 115 local school systems and the extensive North Carolina Community College System. The state has built a comprehensive CTE infrastructure that connects secondary and postsecondary programs through clearly defined career pathways. The state's economy has undergone significant transformation in recent decades, shifting from traditional industries like tobacco and textiles to advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, financial services, information technology, and healthcare. North Carolina's CTE programs have evolved to reflect this economic transformation, with growing programs in STEM fields, healthcare, and technology complementing traditional strengths in agriculture and trades. North Carolina's CTE system benefits from strong state-level support and a well-organized governance structure. The Department of Public Instruction oversees secondary CTE, while the Community College System manages postsecondary programs, and both agencies collaborate through career pathways initiatives that create seamless transitions for students.
SoutheastSouth Carolina
SCSouth Carolina's career and technical education system serves over 200,000 secondary students through programs offered in comprehensive high schools and career centers across the state. The state's CTE system is organized around career clusters and pathways that prepare students for high-demand occupations in South Carolina's growing economy, including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and logistics. South Carolina has distinguished itself through strong industry partnerships, particularly with the state's automotive and aerospace manufacturing sectors. Companies such as BMW, Boeing, Volvo, and Michelin have invested significantly in CTE partnerships, providing equipment, internships, and advisory support that ensure programs remain aligned with industry needs. The state's Personal Pathways to Success initiative ensures that every student develops an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) that includes a career cluster focus, making CTE an integral part of the educational experience for all South Carolina students. This comprehensive approach has helped increase CTE enrollment and completion rates across the state.
SoutheastTennessee
TNTennessee's career and technical education system is one of the most comprehensive in the Southeast, serving over 190,000 secondary students annually through programs offered in comprehensive high schools and career and technical centers across all 95 counties. The state's CTE system is organized around 16 career clusters with more than 80 defined programs of study. Tennessee has been nationally recognized for its innovative approach to CTE, particularly through the Tennessee Pathways initiative, which creates aligned career pathways from K-12 through postsecondary education and into the workforce. This initiative leverages partnerships between school districts, higher education institutions, employers, and community organizations to ensure that CTE programs meet regional workforce needs. The state's Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect programs provide tuition-free access to community and technical colleges, creating strong postsecondary pathways for CTE completers. These scholarship programs have significantly increased postsecondary enrollment among CTE students and have strengthened the connection between secondary CTE and advanced training opportunities.
SoutheastReady to Transform CTE in Georgia?
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