Connecting Education to Careers Across Delaware

Delaware Pathways links students, educators, and employers through high-quality career pathways that prepare learners for college, careers, and life.

What Is Delaware Pathways?

Delaware Pathways is a statewide initiative that connects education and workforce development. Through Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, we give students the academic knowledge, technical skills, and real-world experience they need to succeed after graduation.

Our programs span middle school through postsecondary and adult education. They are available across Delaware’s public school districts, charter schools, community-based partners, postsecondary institutions, and a statewide workforce intermediary. Since launching in 2016 with bipartisan support, Delaware Pathways has leveraged more than $24 million in federal, local, and philanthropic investment to build one of the strongest CTE systems in the nation.

CTE is not a fallback. It is an advantage. Students who participate in career pathways graduate at higher rates, earn credentials valued by employers, and enter the workforce or postsecondary education with a head start.

WHAT WE OFFER

Programs That Prepare Students

50+ career pathways across 14 career clusters, industry certifications, work-based learning, early college credit, and career exploration starting in middle school.

WHO WE SUPPORT

Students, Families, Educators, and Employers

Whether you are a student exploring options, a parent planning ahead, an educator building programs, or an employer shaping the talent pipeline, Delaware Pathways has resources for you.

WHY IT MATTERS

Real Outcomes for Delaware

CTE students graduate at 97.8%, nearly 9 points above the state average. Career pathways close equity gaps, strengthen communities, and build the skilled workforce Delaware’s economy needs.

Delaware CTE by the Numbers

Making a real impact on Delaware students

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CTE concentrators and completers graduated on time (vs. 89.05% statewide)

Total CTE participants in grades 7 through 12

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CTE programs of study offered across 16 career clusters

High schools offering at least one CTE program

Districts and charter schools with CTE programs

Students participating in Career & Technical Student Organizations

Students engaged in work-based learning experiences

Why CTE?

Why Career and Technical Education?

Acquiring both academic and technical skills in combination with meaningful work experience gives students the freedom to choose their life’s path.

HANDS-ON LEARNING

Learn by Doing

CTE gives students real-world experience through practical, career-focused instruction that builds valuable skills for the future.

CAREER EXPLORATION

Discover What Fits

Pathways help students explore their interests across a variety of industries and career options, starting as early as middle school.

NETWORKS THAT MATTER

Build Connections

CTE connects students with peers, educators, mentors, and employers, creating relationships that open doors throughout their careers.

COLLEGE AND CAREER SUCCESS

Multiple Paths Forward

Subtitle: Pathways prepare students for college and careers by offering early college credits, industry credentials, and skills for immediate employment.

Our Strategic Direction

Building Delaware's Talent Pipeline

Delaware is building a unified workforce system that connects education with career opportunities through three key initiatives: the Delaware Pathways Strategic Implementation Plan (running through June 2028), Executive Order #1 (expanding youth apprenticeships), and coordinated efforts through the new Office of Workforce Development.

Our priorities through SY 2028-2029:

Improve student college and career readiness

We are working to increase high school participation in CTE pathways from 68% to 80%, expand middle grades CTE participation from 84% to 96%, and grow Career & Technical Student Organization membership from 9,888 to 15,000 students.

Transparent and actionable information for all stakeholders

Every middle and high school student will have access to a trained Career Navigator. We are expanding the Delaware Pathways website to include interactive CTE data and labor market dashboards, and integrating student and industry voice into how programs are designed and revised.

CTE students outperform their peers

Our targets include graduation rates of 99.5%, immersive work-based learning participation growing from 15% to 45%, and employment or postsecondary enrollment within three months of graduation reaching 100%.

Ready to Get Started?

Explore career pathways, connect with resources, or reach out to our team.