Advocate for ENR Cluster Adoption

The Energy & Natural Resources (ENR) Career Cluster reflects an important evolution in Career and Technical Education (CTE), enabling students to learn about energy and natural resources disciplines in ways that haven’t been possible in a quarter of a century. This new comprehensive framework acknowledges the full range of industries and systems essential to building the energy economy—from renewables to oil and gas, to grid technology, and land, water, and resource stewardship.

States play a critical role in bringing the ENR Cluster into classrooms. Each state determines when and how to formally adopt the cluster, which signals official integration of ENR-aligned curriculum, pathways, and resources into its CTE programs.

Below is a generalized, high-level view of the cluster adoption process. Work with your state’s CTE State Directors and Department of Education and explore how your organization can advance each step of the process. Use our Letter of Support Template to start today.

Needs Assessment

Assess whether your state’s workforce needs and industry demands align with the newly proposed Career Cluster (e.g. CTE pilot programs)

Stakeholder Engagement

Build a network of support and expertise from industry, education, policymakers, and key community leaders

Curriculum Development

Develop curricula that align with industry standards and educational goals

Take advantage of our EIF 2.0 and EnergyAccelerator!

Approval Process

Submit proposals to your state’s CTE education authorities, including directors, advisory committees, and other associations

Resource Allocation

Secure funding, equipment, and other resources necessary to support the cluster’s implementation

Professional Development

Identity and/or provide training and professional development opportunities for educators to upskill

Implementation

Launch your new career cluster and curriculum!

Feedback & Monitoring

Build in tools and practices for feedback, which should be monitored and used for continuous improvement

Get Involved Today with CTE Advisory Committees at Schools Near You:

Most schools with CTE programming are required to develop and maintain CTE advisory committees. Explore resources below to understand the value your organization could bring to a CTE advisory committee and guidance on joining.

Michigan Department of Education: Program Advisory Committee Tool Kit
State of Connecticut: Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee Handbook

Prove the Need for ENR Cluster Adoption: CTE Pilot Programs

CTE pilot programs are a common adoption pathway that allows states to concretely evaluate student interest and impact.

After receiving state approval and the necessary funding, schools can “try out” new CTE courses outside of their state’s current CTE framework. If successful, these tell a strong story for why states should adopt a new Career Cluster

This is one great example of how to prove the need for a new career cluster. Work with your state’s CTE State Directors and Department of Education and explore how your organization can support an ENR CTE Pilot Program launch in schools near you.

How Do States Launch New CTE Pilot Programs?

Submit a proposal that outlines objectives, curriculum design, resource requirements, expected outcomes, etc.
Proposals will go through an approval process, including where your state’s relevant authorities evaluate how the program aligns with educational standards and potential student impact
Schools establish partnerships with industry leaders and organizations to secure the necessary funding, resources, and expertise
Educators upskill in the pilot program’s curricula by attending training sessions and workshops
Implement your new pilot program in schools and continue to monitor for feedback from students, educators, and industry to adjust and improve