What is a nontraditional occupation or field? The Carl D. Perkins Act of 2006 defines nontraditional fields "as occupations or fields of work, including careers in computer science, technology and other current and emerging high skill occupations, for which individuals from one gender comprise less than 25 percent of the individuals employed in each such occupation or field of work." For females, nontraditional fields include the Trades and STEM-related careers. For males, these include nursing, early childhood education and K-3 teaching careers. However, there are other nontraditional fields for both genders, and there are myriad nontraditional occupations within these fields, which is evident in the list of nontraditional occupations  compiled by the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity.
How is CTE in Oregon related to nontraditional occupations? Oregon is committed to decreasing gender disparities in high skill, high wage and high demand occupations, and recognizes the important role that career and technical education (CTE) plays. CTE can help increase the pipeline of individuals prepared to pursue careers in nontraditional fields by encouraging students to explore nontraditional fields, providing relevant and rigorous training, and fostering the skills students need to persist and succeed in their respective work environments.
This website provides resources for educators who wish to strengthen or create CTE projects related to nontraditional occupations, as well as information for parents and students about nontraditional careers and related activities or events in their local communities.
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