Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act
The Workforce Board is designated by the Governor and Legislature to oversee funds received through the federal Carl D. Perkins Strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the 21st Century Act of 2018 (Perkins V) –a multi-million dollar federal grant that helps educators better prepare students for the workplace through hands-on, career focused teaching and other strategies.
Students from Washington HOSA, a club for future health professionals, attend a career and technical education event in the Capitol in January 2026.
Career and technical education (CTE) connects students in an experiential way to what they are learning, whether it’s witnessing the complex chemistry behind the internal combustion engine or writing a detailed quarterly business plan. Academics and job skills, when taught together, can focus a student’s attention on career goals and provide the tools to reach those goals.
Employer demand for students with this blend of academics and job skill training continues to grow especially in high-demand fields such as healthcare and construction.
- Get more information about the Perkins Act and how it helps fund career and technical education in Washington’s public schools and community and technical colleges.
- Read the most recent Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) for 2024-25.
- Learn more about Washington state’s most recent Perkins grant allocation.
Return on Investment for students and taxpayers
Recent analyses from the Workforce Board show that career and technical education (CTE) and workforce training programs continue to deliver strong returns for both participants and the public.
Participants consistently achieve strong employment and earnings outcomes. For example, 78% of secondary CTE students are employed or continuing their education shortly after completing their programs, and participants in community and technical college professional/technical programs earn median annual wages of about $50,000 within one year of completion.
These outcomes translate into clear public benefits. Workforce training investments generate increased tax revenues through higher earnings, while reducing reliance on public assistance. In fact, community and technical college workforce programs are estimated to return up to nearly $3 to $1 in taxpayer benefits over time, demonstrating a strong return on public investment.
Get more information on these and other workforce programs in the Workforce Training Results report published by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.
Washington's 2025 Perkins Plan
The Workforce Board submitted its 2025 Perkins State Plan to the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education in May 2025 as required by federal guidance. The plan posted here is contingent upon official forthcoming approval from the U.S. Department of Education.
Washington’s 2024 Perkins V Plan is located here.
Perkins Consolidated Annual Report
The 2023-24 Perkins Consolidated Annual Report is located here. The Workforce Board submitted this report to the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education in January 2025 as required by federal guidance. The report posted here is contingent upon official forthcoming approval from the U.S. Department of Education.
Perkins Reauthorization
The Perkins Act was reauthorized in July 2018. Learn about the changes here.
Youth Employment Outlook
The Legislature has tasked the Workforce Board to report on the state of youth employment every two years. This report explores the current challenges and opportunities related to youth employment in Washington. The agency’s work on this issue is guided by our vision: Every Washington community is thriving, inclusive, and economically resilient. Learn more.
Career Bridge
Find your pathway with Career Bridge
CareerBridge.wa.gov is an award-winning website created and managed by the Workforce Board, featuring more than 6,500 Washington education programs all in one place. CareerBridge includes detailed program costs and schedules, what graduates earn, how to pay for school and which fields are expanding in the coming years. Learn more!
More About Perkins and CTE
Washington state and federal career and technical education resources
Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE): This site offers tools, insights, and resources for career and technical education pathways, including state formula grants and discretionary grants.
Policy Resources for Career, Technical, and Adult Education: This site includes laws, regulations, and guidance related to career and technical education, such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
Washington OSPI CTE – This page includes information on course and program approval, Carl D. Perkins Act, graduation pathways, programs of study and Career Clusters, resources and essentials and Skills Centers.
Washington OSPI Resources and Essentials – This page offers information about Career Connect Washington, CIP Codes, approved course equivalencies and work-based learning.
CTE Industry Recognized Credentials
The 2025–26 IRC List has been released with 14 NEW IRCs added!
SBCTC CTE Dual Credit – This page includes background information on CTE dual credit as well as programs/course articulations, pathways and programs of study, data collection/reporting, credit transcription and transfer, recruitment and advising, webinar series.
WA-ACTE – this page provides information and resources mostly for CTE teachers. WA-ACTE provides the following for their members:
- Quality professional development
- Advocacy and promotion of career and technical education
- Advancement of policy and legislation
- Networking and communication
- Continuous quality association improvement
WACTA – The primary purpose of the WACTA is to provide general direction to the administrators of the state by conveying current, pertinent, information on, or related to, career and technical education. This page contains information regarding upcoming conferences, best practices and frequently asked questions.
Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board – This page provides resources for districts planning to meet OSPI’s CTE/CIE requirements. However, any teacher, district, college, or community partner interested in forming a high school teacher academy may use all or parts of the resources.
Washington Advance CTE – Advance CTE is the national association of State CTE Directors and related professionals, equipping those leaders with knowledge and inspiration to move education forward. Across the country, their members are creating a way for each learner by expanding access to and succeed in a connected and supportive career preparation ecosystem. This particular page links to Washington specific information and resources. The webpage includes fast facts, concentrator data, enrollment data and Perkins data all related to Washington CTE.
OER Commons – Career and technical education programs in Washington are aligned with rigorous industry and academic standards. Teachers participate in meaningful professional development on curricula and instruction, standards and assessment, and academic integration. This group’s webpage contains resources curated by CTE program specialists at the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Perkins V details
To view Perkins V in its entirety go HERE. The act took effect July 1, 2019.
The Workforce Board’s role includes preparing and adopting a state plan, tracking state-level expenditures, establishing and tracking performance targets and submitting annual reports to the U.S. Department of Education.
For 2025-26, Washington received approximately $26 million in Perkins funds. This funding is divided among the Workforce Board, the state’s community and technical colleges (State Board for Community and Technical Colleges), and the state’s K-12 system (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction).