News from AFT CTE | September 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

New Compact for America’s Youth to open real paths from school into careers

Leaders from industry, labor, education and philanthropy launched the Compact for America’s Youth, a challenge to public and private sector leaders to open real paths from school into careers for young people. The AFT, along with our partners in the initiative, CareerWise and Jobs for the Future, issued the call to action at a forum in Washington, D.C., calling on organizations to make public, measurable commitments in three areas: mobilizing industry investment, advancing smart systems and policies, and deploying innovative tools and resources. Below are opportunities announced during the Compact Summit.

AFT Career Pathways Partnership Grants up to $15,000 for local career pathways work

The AFT is launching the Career Pathways Partnership Grants 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 opened on Sept. 10 and are due Nov. 13. Learn more and apply for an AFT Career Pathways Partnership Grant.

Help students explore career pathways with the Jobs Machine

The Jobs Machine, developed by North America’s Building Trades Unions in partnership with Microsoft, the AFT and others, is a new career-exploration tool that helps young people learn about careers in the skilled trades and find registered apprenticeship opportunities. Educators, school counselors and families can use the Jobs Machine to help students explore their interests, understand the opportunities available to them, and find pathways to good, family-sustaining careers. Explore the Jobs Machine.

AFT CTE Educator Highlight

Matthew Patrick, is a teacher in Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Emergency Response Technology program and a member of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers. In his AFT Voices piece, he talks about how artificial intelligence-driven Alpha schools are missing skilled, human educators.

Finding Funding That Fits: Choosing the Right Grants for Your School or Classroom

There are lots of grant opportunities out there, but not every grant is right for every school or classroom. On Sept. 29, 6-7 p.m. EDT, Partners for Rural Impact’s Johna Rodgers and Amanda Paveglio will share resources for finding grant opportunities and ways to assess them for “fit” with your school or classroom needs. Learn more 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.

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

Sept. 29 • 6-7 p.m. EDT

Partners for Rural Impact—“Finding Funding That Fits: Choosing the Right Grants for Your School or Classroom.” Register here.

Oct. 13 • 6-7 p.m. EDT

Partners for Rural Impact—“Pro Tips for School Grants: Strategies for Funding Your School or Classroom.” Register here.

Resources

Teach Engineering

Teach Engineering offers lesson plans and activities to spark students’ excitement for discovery. By connecting classroom learning to real-world possibilities, TE helps teachers introduce engineering to all students to inspire the next generation of creators and changemakers.

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.

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