Career education, also known as vocational education or career technical education (CTE), prepares a wide range of Californians for employment and economic advancement. Community colleges are a major provider of career education in California, offering short- and long-term certificates along with associate degrees across a variety of fields of study.

In this video, senior research associate Shannon McConville discusses the importance of career education for California and what new PPIC research says about its economic benefits. Career education credentials can provide substantial earnings gains and also helps create a strong California workforce over the long term.