Transportation

Description

The Transportation Industry plays a crucial role in our society because transporting goods and people is central to a global economy. As the transportation industry sector continues to expand significantly, employment opportunities will continue to grow for years to come in a vast range of transportation-related occupations. The transportation industry must continue to adapt to changing technology and repair techniques as vehicle components and systems become increasingly sophisticated. Examples include developments in rocket technology, super-capacity jet airplanes, drone technology, fully electric, hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell technology affecting automobiles, and diesel trucks that run on bio-diesel or other alternative fuels. This industry also plays an important part in education through financial and in-kind support for training and educating the current and future workforce.

Transportation Services include: Automotive, Aircraft, Marine, and High Speed Rail Systems. The Transportation Industry sector features three career pathways that provide opportunities from entry-level jobs requiring high school diplomas to progressive careers requiring advanced degrees, licenses, and certifications. These pathways emphasize real-world, occupationally relevant experiences of significant scope and depth in order to prepare students for postsecondary education and employment in various transportation industries.

Transportation Industry Sector Pathways

Operations

Working collaboratively in a team environment with a specific task to manage the day-to-day operations of a given transportation related industry which includes but is not limited to automotive sales, service, repair facilities, airports, train stations, warehousing/distribution centers, and marine harbors and ports.

Structural Repair and Refinishing

Collision Repair and Refinishing includes, but is not limited to, estimating, painting, repairing, and refinishing vehicles of all types.

Systems Diagnostics, Service, and Repair

Vehicle Maintenance, Service, and Repair includes, but is not limited to, maintaining, servicing, and repairing light, medium, and heavy duty vehicles of all types.

Sample of Career Technical Education Courses
Table illustrates required education level and related occupations for the three transportation industry sector pathways as follows: Operations, Structural Repair and Refinishing, Systems Diagnostics, Service, and Repair.

Resources

• California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards (PDF; 2MB) May 2005 Edition
• California Career Technical Education Frameworks for California Public Schools (PDF; 5MB)
• California Educators Together
  California Educators Together, formerly CTE Online, is a resource devoted to connecting educators and leaders to quality professional development tools.
• Transportation Industry Sector Program Summary
• Regional Occupational Centers and Programs
  Career and workforce preparation for high school students and adults.
• SkillsUSA California
  Provides leadership training to students and instructors in the career and technical education arena.
• CA Partnership Academies
  The academy model is a three-year program, grades ten through twelve, structured as a school-within-a-school. Academies incorporate integrated academic and career technical education, business partnerships, mentoring, and internships.
  
• California Auto Teachers Association
• National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
• North American Council of Automotive Teachers
• Department of Industrial Relations Apprenticeship Web Page

Contact Information

Robert Wilson, Education Programs Consultant
Career Technical Education Leadership Office
Career and College Transition Division
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 4202
Sacramento, CA 95814