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Manufacturing and Product Development

Career Technical Education (CTE) students are prepared for employment in the manufacturing and product development industries.

Description

The manufacturing and product development CTE industry sector is designed to provide a foundation in manufacturing and product development sector pathways and occupations for students in California. Students are engaged in a project based learning and instructional program. These CTE programs integrate academic and technical preparation providing knowledge of all aspects of these industries with a focus on career awareness, career exploration, and career preparation in four pathways which emphasize real-world, occupationally relevant experiences of significant scope and depth.

The four pathways are Graphic Production Technologies, Machine and Forming Technologies, Welding and Materials Joining, and Product Innovation and Design. These manufacturing and product development sector programs prepare students for advanced technical training and postsecondary educational opportunities. CTE programs use differentiated instructional strategies to ensure comprehension of technical skills for diverse learning styles. The CTE instructional strategies include standard classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, hands-on contextual learning, project and work based instruction, and leadership and professional interpersonal skills development. The knowledge and skills are acquired within a sequential, standards-based pathway program. Standards in this sector are designed to prepare students for entry to a career, postsecondary education, or advanced technical training.

Manufacturing and Product Development Industry Sector Pathways

  • Graphic Production Technologies
  • Machine and Forming Technologies
  • Welding and Materials Joining
  • Product Innovation and Design

Resources

Additional Resources for Manufacturing and Product Development

Contact Information

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

Questions:   CTE Leadership Office | 916-322-5050
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
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