ACT 237 of 2023 requires that public school districts offer at least one career and technical education (CTE) pathway that meets the state definition of High Demand and High Wage (H2). For the 2024-2025 school year there are 18 CTE pathways that meet the state definition of High Demand and High Wage.

High Demand Definition:  High Demand occupations have a 10-Year Forecast Total Demand greater than or equal to 0.4% of the current total employment in Arkansas. Given Arkansas’ current total employment of 1,386,991, High Demand occupations have a 10-Year Forecast Total Demand greater than or equal to 5,548 openings.

High Wage Definition: High Wage occupations have a median annual wage greater than or equal to the estimated baseline living wage in Arkansas. Given the MIT Living Wage Calculator estimated baseline living wage in Arkansas of $39,728.00, High Wage occupations have a median annual wage greater than or equal to $39,728.00.

The following CTE pathways meet the high demand and high wage definition:

Accounting

Advanced Manufacturing

Agriculture, Power, Structural, and Technical Systems

Animal Systems

Automotive Service Technology

Banking

Business Finance

Computer Science-Programming

Computer Science-Networking

Construction

Criminal Justice

Management

Nursing Services

Plant Systems

Pre-Educator

Pre-Engineering

Retail Management

Welding

A webinar will be hosted Tuesday, April 9th at 10:00 A.M. to review the process for determining the high demand and high wage pathways. The department will review additional information districts need to consider regarding the designations with their current and future CTE offerings. It is recommended that district and secondary administrators attend the webinar.

Below is the link for the Webinar.

https://zoom.us/j/95517054295?pwd=c2VUdWdacWFQYmRPWitsNmF0YkZvdz09