06/18/2026
YOUR ACTION NEEDED ASAP!!!!!
Important Update for Washington’s Skilled Trades & Technical Workforce
The Washington State Board of Education is actively considering whether Career & Technical Education (CTE) should remain a required high school graduation subject or be moved to an optional/substitutable category under a new Personalized Pathway Requirement (PPR).
A recent working draft framework from the Board (dated April 16, 2026) shows CTE placed in the PPR column — meaning students could potentially substitute it based on their High School and Beyond Plan. The Board is scheduled to finalize conceptual recommendations at its June 23–25 meeting and is currently accepting public comment.
Why this matters:
Employers across Washington continue to face critical workforce shortages in healthcare, manufacturing, construction, information technology, business, hospitality, natural resources, and many other industries. CTE programs are one of the primary ways students gain technical skills, industry credentials, and hands-on experience.
If CTE is no longer required, many schools — already operating under significant budget pressures — may reduce or eliminate programs. This would shrink the pipeline of students entering high-demand technical careers and disproportionately affect smaller and rural districts where options are already limited.
While some flexibility is valuable, removing the requirement risks unintended consequences: fewer hands-on learning opportunities, reduced student engagement for those who thrive in applied settings, and less equitable access for students who may not follow a traditional four-year college path.
Take Action Now
The Northwest Auto Care Alliance encourages all members, shop owners, technicians, and industry partners to submit public comment before the Board’s June 23–25 meeting.
Submit comments here: https://sbe.wa.gov/FutureReadyPublicComment
Learn more: https://sbe.wa.gov/our-work/futureready
Your voice matters!
The future of Washington’s skilled trades workforce depends on strong CTE programs that give students real pathways into high-demand careers.
Please share this post with fellow shop owners, technicians, and industry partners so we can amplify our voice on this critical issue.
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Below is a template you can copy and send to the Washington State Board Of Education, be sure to fill in your information at the bottom!
Subject: Support Career & Technical Education as a Washington State Graduation Requirement
Dear Washington State Board of Education Members,
I am writing as an industry partner committed to preparing Washington's future workforce. I urge the State Board of Education to maintain Career and Technical Education (CTE) as a graduation requirement and graduation pathway for Washington students.
Employers across our state continue to face workforce shortages in healthcare, manufacturing, construction, information technology, business, hospitality, natural resources, and many other industries. CTE programs provide students with the technical knowledge, employability skills, leadership development, and hands-on experiences necessary to succeed in these high-demand careers.
As a business and community partner, I have seen firsthand how CTE programs:
· Connect classroom learning to real-world applications.
· Develop critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
· Provide students with industry-recognized credentials and work-based learning experiences.
· Help students discover career interests and make informed postsecondary decisions.
· Create stronger pipelines of skilled workers for local employers and communities.
· Increase student engagement by offering meaningful, relevant learning opportunities.
While I support efforts to increase flexibility within graduation requirements and expand opportunities for cross-crediting academic and CTE coursework, removing CTE as a graduation requirement could have unintended consequences. Many schools may be forced to reduce or eliminate programs, resulting in fewer opportunities for students to participate in hands-on, career-connected learning experiences.
Washington's economy depends on a highly skilled workforce. Maintaining CTE as a graduation requirement sends a clear message that career readiness is just as important as college readiness and that all students deserve access to learning experiences that prepare them for life after high school.
I respectfully ask the State Board of Education to preserve Career and Technical Education as a graduation requirement and continue supporting equitable access to high-quality CTE programs for all Washington students.
Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to Washington's students and future workforce.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Title]
[Organization]
[City, Washington]
