Date/Time: November 5, 2026 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Room: TAHOMA 1

Abstract: Career and Technical Education is no longer tucked into the “shop wing.” It is one of the most powerful engines for student engagement, career exploration, and real-world problem solving. Yet many CTE spaces still struggle to keep pace with programs that evolve faster than buildings. What do district CTE leaders wish architects understood before a single line is drawn? In this moderated panel, three school district CTE directors share what is changing now and what is coming next, from industry-aligned equipment and infrastructure, to flexible layouts that can pivot as pathways shift, to visibility and “learning on display” that invites more students into hands-on exploration. Panelists will discuss the design decisions that matter most to them, including safety and supervision in active labs, authentic workplace feel, equitable access, and the often-overlooked operational realities of scheduling, storage, and shared use.

The session reserves dedicated time for audience Q&A, allowing attendees to pressure-test assumptions, compare approaches across contexts, and leave with practical design principles that support alternative learning environments without limits.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify emerging priorities in CTE programming that influence facility design, including flexibility, authenticity, and future adaptability.
2. Explain how CTE environments can expand equitable access to career pathways by making hands-on learning visible, welcoming, and central.
3. Assess how operational realities (scheduling, shared use, setup time, storage, supervision) shape the success of CTE spaces.
4. Develop a set of “questions districts wish were asked sooner” to guide CTE programming and schematic design, informed by district leader insights and audience Q&A.