Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Public Services

Students are prepared for employment in various public services.

Public Services careers are usually those that are provided by government to its citizens, either directly or through the financing of another entity to provide that service. Careers in public service are unique because they center on challenging issues that define the public agenda and involve the provision of vital services to the public–from local to international levels.

The Public Services Industry Sector provides a foundation for secondary students to pursue a broad variety of careers in state and local government as well as numerous careers in community and private services. Public Services pathways include Public Safety, Emergency Response, and Legal Practices. Students engage in an instructional program that integrates academic and technical preparation and focuses on career awareness, career exploration, skill preparation in the industry, and preparation for postsecondary education and training. Knowledge and skills are learned and applied within a sequential, standards-based pathway program that integrates classroom, laboratory, and project and work-based instruction. Standards in this sector are designed to prepare students for technical training, postsecondary education, and entry-level employment.

Public Services Industry Sector Pathways

  1. Public Safety
  2. Emergency Response
  3. Legal Practices

Resources

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:   Career Technical Education Leadership Office | 916-322-5050
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Recently Posted in Career Technical Education
  • CWPJAC Agenda October 30, 2026 (added 19-Oct-2026)
    California Workforce Pathways Joint Advisory Committee (CWPJAC) will address college and career pathways that target California’s regional economies.
  • Perkins Allowable and Non-Allowable Expenditures (added 10-Sep-2026)
    Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) allowable and non-allowable expenditures organized by object code.
  • VE-35 Equipment Disposal Determination Guide (added 10-Sep-2026)
    A guide to help LEAs quickly determine whether disposal of Perkins-funded equipment requires a VE-35 form and the required steps either way.