News from AFT Career and Technical Education

Current Issue - October 2026

Welcome to our 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 the 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.

AFT CTE Highlights

AFT’s Weingarten meets with GM and AFT Michigan leaders about new Manufacturing Futures initiative

Manufacturing Futures is a new initiative that will bring manufacturing career pathways directly into middle and high school classrooms in the Detroit Public Schools Community District and Dearborn Public Schools. Its focused mission is to build a bridge from middle schools into the advanced manufacturing pathways already available at career and technical education high schools in Detroit and Dearborn.

AFT Career Pathways Partnership Grants of up to $15,000 available to support local career pathways work

The AFT’s Career Pathways Partnership Grants are intended to help affiliates build and strengthen their work on local career pathways. AFT affiliates can apply for grants of up to $15,000 to kick-start or expand partnerships with school districts, employers, higher education institutions and community organizations. Funding can support work-based learning opportunities, including internships and apprenticeships, as well as equipment and materials for CTE programs. Applications are due Nov. 13. Learn more and apply for an AFT Career Pathways Partnership Grant.

AFT TEACH conference 2027: Seeking hands-on workshop proposals

Next summer, share what’s working at AFT TEACH (Together Educating America’s Children), our signature in-person professional learning conference. We’re seeking proposals for interactive, hands-on workshop sessions on instructional strategies and subject-area content, technology, artificial intelligence and digital literacy, student and educator safety and well-being, and collaboration with colleagues, families and communities. Most sessions are an hour and a half or three hours, with a limited number of one-hour sessions. We encourage AFT members to submit proposals about CTE. Learn more about the request for proposals here.

Grants for student projects, plus a chance to attend AFT TEACH

The AFT and Share My Lesson are supporting Ashoka’s Carnegie Challenge for Civic Leadership, which helps students turn their ideas into action, especially those focusing on CTE projects. Anyone applying with a new idea by Nov. 17 is guaranteed a $100 seed grant if all criteria are met. For existing projects, apply by Jan. 31, 2027, for prizes ranging from $500-$10,000. AFT members who support students in submitting a challenge entry will have a chance to receive one of three scholarships to attend AFT TEACH 2027, courtesy of Ashoka.

AFT CTE Educator Highlight

Two AFT teachers receive the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence award:

Ty Neal was recognized by U.S. Rep. Troy Downing as a “Montana Innovator.” Neal teaches agricultural mechanics at Denton High School in Denton, Mont. He created a curriculum that offers dual-enrollment college credits in welding, covering comprehensive pathways across woodworking, construction, HVAC fundamentals and agricultural mechanics.
Brian Schneider teaches agricultural mechanics at Napoleon Public School in Napoleon, N.D. He created a program that allows students to learn about woodworking, cold and hot metalworking, small engines and structural design. Under his leadership, the school and FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) alumni constructed a state-of-the-art agricultural education facility featuring an expanded agricultural mechanics lab.

‘Steering the Next Generation Towards Careers in Trucking’ webinar

The trucking industry faces a critical need for a sustainable pipeline of young, well-trained talent. On Nov. 18 at 6-7 p.m. EST, NextGen explores how secondary schools can bridge this gap by establishing high school truck-driving programs. Attendees will walk away with a clear roadmap for replicating this successful program in their own districts, along with access to free curriculum, support and resources designed to help schools get started. Register here.

Other Upcoming Webinars

Available now on Share My Lesson:

Partners for Rural Impact—“Grant Funding 101 for Educators: Building Confidence to Seek School Grants.” Access here.

Partners for Rural Impact—“Finding Funding that Fits: Choosing the Right Grants for Your School or Classroom.” Access here.
Partners for Rural Impact—“Pro Tips for School Grants: Strategies for Funding your School or Classroom.” Access here.

National Association of Home Builders—“Building CTE and Workforce Partnerships with Local Industry Associations.” Access here.

Starting Oct. 1, Workforce Pell is now included in the 2027-2028 FAFSA form. Our new Workforce Pell guide and checklist provides AFT members with practical information, key steps and resources to help educators, affiliates and partners understand and navigate these opportunities.

October is Careers in Construction Month!

Celebrate the skilled trades and the essential role construction professionals play in building our communities. Teachers can use these toolkits with their students to explore construction careers, discover career and technical education pathways, and connect classroom learning to hands-on skills, apprenticeships and future employment opportunities. Help students discover the many rewarding careers available in the construction industry! Check out these resources from Build Your Future, the National Center for Construction Education and Research, and the National Association of Home Builders.

Each month, we’re committed to recognizing the invaluable contributions of CTE educators. We would love to highlight 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.