News from AFT CTE | February 2026

Welcome to our new AFT Career and Technical Education Newsletter! This space is dedicated to empowering AFT CTE educators with the latest events, innovative toolkits and invaluable resources to enhance your teaching journey. Whether you're looking for professional development opportunities, new teaching strategies or the latest industry trends, you'll find them here. We promise to keep these newsletters short but informative.

What’s new with CTE and AFT:

President Randi Weingarten visited Yonkers Middle High School & Robert Halmi Sr. Academy for Film & Television in Yonkers, N.Y., where students get hands-on experience in the television and film industries. The school showcased project-based learning, partnerships with local businesses, and career pathways.

Weingarten visited Westinghouse Academy in Pittsburgh. In 2016, the school that was threatened with closure. But the AFT provided an Innovation Fund grant to help stabilize it, and today the school is a thriving model for career and technical education, giving students hands-on skills and real career pathways.

February is Career and Technical Education Month! Access classroom CTE month toolkits, great stories of AFT members and CTE in action on Facebook Bluesky YouTube, and AFT’s Career and Technical Education website for resources.

Next Generation in Trucking is a national nonprofit organization that partners with CTE educators to launch and strengthen programs within the transportation and supply chain career cluster, including commercial driver’s license, supply chain and logistics, and diesel technician pathways. Access free career exploration videos and downloadable classroom resources at www.nextgentrucking.org. If your school would like to explore starting or enhancing a program, contact Lindsey Trent at lindsey@nextgentrucking.org.

Submit your application by Feb. 27 for the Catalyze Challenge. The award supports bold, new ideas that help young people connect learning to real career opportunities. Applicants can choose the theme that best aligns with their proposed idea: Career Exploration for Young Adolescents or Meaningful Work-Based Learning through Employer Partnerships. To learn more, visit Catalyze Challenge Round Five Application

PAYA Resource Library offers toolkits, best practices, case studies and profiles to assist you in launching, expanding or improving your youth apprenticeship program. The goal is to make it easier for you to find and support youth apprentices.

Aerial Advanced Education offers training for students and teachers for certifications in FAA Part 107 and AAE Certification to prepare to pass the Federal Commercial Operator’s license. Check out its Certification Demo and Certification Curriculum Guide. If you have any questions, please reach out to Dave Avery at dave@advaerialedu.com.

Save the dates for SkillsUSA’s National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta from June 1-5. This conference celebrates the accomplishments of individuals preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. Students will showcase their talents and skills on the national level.

Each month, we’re committed to recognizing the invaluable contributions of CTE educators. We would love to uplift an AFT CTE educator in this newsletter. Nominate someone here. Thank you for reading the AFT Career and Technical Education Newsletter. If you enjoyed this edition and would like to stay updated with our latest news and resources, please click here to subscribe. We appreciate your support and look forward to connecting with you again next month