Three Reasons to Consider Career & Technical Education for Children with Trauma

Today is World Youth Skills Day, and a good time to consider the value of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for our kids. Children who have suffered trauma often face failure and more trauma in traditional classrooms. Not every kid is wired for academics, and forcing them into that mold can do more harm than good. CTE, particularly this year’s Skills Day emphasis on AI and digital skills, may offer our kids a chance to build confidence, learn cutting-edge skills, and find a path that fits them.

CTE Isn’t Second-Best

First, we have to realize that CTE isn’t a lesser option for kids who “can’t cut it” in academic classes. That old stereotype, if it ever was true, is nonsense in 2025. CTE programs, particularly those involving digital skills, are just as tough, sometimes tougher, than Algebra or English Lit. They teach practical skills like building apps or analyzing data, while also hammering home soft skills like showing up on time, working as a team, and solving problems under pressure. These are the tools our kids will need to thrive in today’s world, whatever path they take. 

The bias against CTE often comes from schools run by academics who were trained by, you guessed it, other academics. They push college as the best path because it’s what they know. But in an era where AI is reshaping everything from healthcare to automotive repair, we can’t let that traditional mindset hold our kids back. CTE in AI and digital fields teaches students to work with tools like machine learning or web development platforms—skills that are in high demand. These are practical, future-ready skills, not second-rate make-do paths.

CTE Doesn’t Rule Out College

CTE also doesn’t mean that our kids are giving up on college.  CTE doesn’t box kids into a trade—it opens up possibilities. Plenty of kids discover a love for, say, programming or digital marketing through CTE and later chase those fields in college, with a head start from their hands-on experience.

A while back, I worked with a Seventh-day Adventist boarding school that mixed vocational training with academics. I’m not Adventist, but I learned to respect their approach. Kids learned skills like computer programming or mechanics alongside traditional academic subjects. Most went on to college, often pursuing degrees in tech or engineering fields they first explored in CTE. Others who chose trades graduated with skills to start businesses or dive into varied careers. Research says this is part of a trend: CTE students are just as likely to earn college degrees as those in academic tracks. CTE can be a clear path to either college or a high-demand career—whatever avenue suits your child.

CTE Builds Confidence for the Future

For kids who struggle with academics—especially foster youth, who often carry extra emotional weight—school can chip away at self-esteem. Failing tests or falling behind feels awful. CTE, particularly in AI and digital fields, can turn that around. When a kid codes their first game, designs a website, or trains a simple AI model, they get a win they can see and feel. That boost in self-confidence can change their whole outlook. 

The job market is changing fast. Big employers, from tech giants to government agencies, are dropping degree requirements for jobs in AI, cybersecurity, and digital media. There’s a shortage of skilled workers in these fields, so companies are paying a premium for talent. I’ve joked that I’ve spent more on IT guys and network techs than on therapists with master’s degrees—and it’s only partially a joke. Kids who master AI or digital skills through CTE can land jobs that pay well and feel rewarding. More than that, these classes offer short-term successes that build self-esteem. If a kid’s struggling in academic classes, there’s no point in pushing them into that box. Instead, let them shine in something that fits their skills. 

Conclusion

As we plan for the school year, let’s consider putting CTE front and center for our kids. There’s nothing second-rate about learning to code or build AI systems. My stepsons find the same poetry in a clean line of code or a smoothly running engine as I do in reading Shakespeare. It would be short-sighted to say my love for books is “better” than their knack for tech or mechanics. It’s just as wrong to insist college is the only path worth taking when AI and other CTE careers are booming.

 Considering the CTE path allows us to celebrate our kids’ unique talents and prepare them for a tech-driven future. For foster kids and others facing tough roads, CTE can be a lifeline—a way to take charge of their future. We need to fight the stigma that vocational training is less valuable. Let’s talk to counselors about these options and advocate for what’s best for our kids.  CTE isn’t just about jobs—it’s about helping kids feel capable, confident, and ready for whatever’s next, whether that’s a tech startup, a trade, or a college degree.

Interested in learning more?  

• Download my free e-book to learn how to stop being the villain in your child’s story.
• Learn more principles of foster parenting and step-parenting from my online courses at YSO Academy.
• Buy my book, Raising Other People’s Children, for more thoughts about being the person who’s not supposed to be there.
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