Career Clusters
Career Clusters are a classification system that groups occupations into clusters based on similarities in foundational knowledge and skills needed to succeed.
There are 5 Cluster Groupings, which are large, purpose-driven meta-sectors that help guide young people toward clusters aligned with their interests, sense of purpose, and the impact they want to make on their communities. These are broken down into 14 Career Clusters, which refer to industry sectors as defined by groupings from the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes.
Cross-Cutting Clusters are based on sector-specific and contextualized functions instead of specific industry sectors, and have Sub-Clusters and implications for courses taken in all other Career Clusters. Sub-Clusters are groupings of career areas within a given Career Cluster or field requiring similar skills as defined by industry area.
The typical structure of a program of study sequence requires four classes. Students who complete two classes in a sequence are considered concentrators, and concentrators who also take a capstone course are completers.
The National Career Clusters® Framework – Advance CTE
New Mexico has elected to be an early-adopter state of the modernized National Career Clusters® Framework. Explore the new design resulting from a multi-year initiative led by Advance CTE to make CTE more industry-responsive and learner-centered by clicking here.
Career Clusters Guidebook
The new Career Clusters Guidebook, provided by Advance CTE, compiles the key elements of the modernized National Career Clusters Framework, including descriptions of Framework layers, graphics, Career Cluster and Sub-Cluster definitions, and a Crosswalk of Career Clusters from the original Framework to the modernized Framework. Click here to view.
Guidebook Archive
The 2023 New Mexico Career Clusters Guidebook does not align with the modernized Framework, however, it remains a valuable resource as a comprehensive tool for students planning their educational and career journeys. Click here to view the 2023 Guidebook in English.
Click here to view the 2020 Guidebook in Spanish.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns.
Resources
- Dynamic Labor Market Reports
- Labor Market Navigator for New Mexico
- Building Career Pathways Report
- SY25 State Courses by Nova Course ID
New Mexico Career Pathways
NM Career Pathways is a website that allows educators, parents, and students to explore detailed information about their local school districts, labor markets, and career clusters. With the use of area-specific data that highlights median wages and annual job openings, this site helps students be able to make an informed decision on a career path that best suits them.
NM Content Standards, Benchmarks, and Performance Standards
Each program of study is reflective of New Mexico’s labor analysis and includes:
- A strong academic core aligned to NM Graduation Requirements and content standards set forth by NMAC 6.29.3
- An articulated system that links each level of learning to the next
- Opportunities including on-the-job training, mentorships, internships, apprenticeships, etc.