CTE students have the technical skills. Employers say that's not enough.

CTE gives students something no other part of high school does: real-world, hands-on experience building, designing, and collaborating before they enter the workforce. Yet employers consistently say the biggest gap in new hires isn't technical. It's the ability to persist, communicate, work on a team, and take initiative. When CTE programs intentionally develop these professional behaviors alongside technical skills, students become the kind of employees employers fight to hire.

Student-led Discussion at Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School-1
How P2's 24 character strengths map to all 16 CTE Career Clusters
CTE Pathways Mapped to Character Strengths

How P2's 24 character strengths map to all 16 CTE Career Clusters.

What's different about P2's approach to CTE?

Traditional CTE programs rightly emphasize technical competencies, yet employers consistently struggle to find candidates who demonstrate durable, professional skills. The preparation gap isn't about technical skills. It's about the ability to collaborate, communicate, and show up with character in a team environment.

P2 fills this gap by giving students a shared vocabulary for the professional behaviors they are already practicing in CTE coursework, and giving teachers a structured, research-based framework for teaching those behaviors. The result: students graduate with the full complement of skills that employers and industry partners consistently say are missing.

Builds employability skills alongside technical skills

P2 frames character strengths as employability skills and workforce readiness competencies — language that resonates with industry partners, students, and administrators alike.

Strengthens industry partnerships and work-based learning

Employers notice the difference character development makes during internships, job shadows, and work-based learning placements. P2 gives CTE teachers and industry partners a shared framework for what professional readiness actually looks like in the field. This makes advisory committee conversations more productive and CTSO participation more meaningful.

Develops career-ready character through project based learning

CTE has always been built around doing. P2 helps students recognize that the perseverance they showed in troubleshooting a failed prototype or the teamwork they brought to a client presentation are the same qualities employers look for when they hire.

Built for every career cluster

Most character education programs talk about workforce readiness in broad strokes. P2 gets specific. All 24 character strengths are mapped across every career cluster, with primary strengths identified for each field. Teachers aren't translating generic content into something relevant, the relevance is built in.

Builds employability skills alongside technical skills

P2 frames character strengths as employability skills and workforce readiness competencies — language that resonates with industry partners, students, and administrators alike.

Strengthens industry partnerships and work-based learning

Employers notice the difference character development makes during internships, job shadows, and work-based learning placements. P2 gives CTE teachers and industry partners a shared framework for what professional readiness actually looks like in the field. This makes advisory committee conversations more productive and CTSO participation more meaningful.

Develops career-ready character through project based learning

CTE has always been built around doing. P2 helps students recognize that the perseverance they showed in troubleshooting a failed prototype or the teamwork they brought to a client presentation are the same qualities employers look for when they hire.

Built for every career cluster

Most character education programs talk about workforce readiness in broad strokes. P2 gets specific. All 24 character strengths are mapped across every career cluster, with primary strengths identified for each field. Teachers aren't translating generic content into something relevant, the relevance is built in.

Builds employability skills alongside technical skills

P2 frames character strengths as employability skills and workforce readiness competencies — language that resonates with industry partners, students, and administrators alike.

Strengthens industry partnerships and work-based learning

Employers notice the difference character development makes during internships, job shadows, and work-based learning placements. P2 gives CTE teachers and industry partners a shared framework for what professional readiness actually looks like in the field. This makes advisory committee conversations more productive and CTSO participation more meaningful.

Develops career-ready character through project based learning

CTE has always been built around doing. P2 helps students recognize that the perseverance they showed in troubleshooting a failed prototype or the teamwork they brought to a client presentation are the same qualities employers look for when they hire.

Built for every career cluster

Most character education programs talk about workforce readiness in broad strokes. P2 gets specific. All 24 character strengths are mapped across every career cluster, with primary strengths identified for each field. Teachers aren't translating generic content into something relevant, the relevance is built in.

Perkins V alignment with P2

Perkins V requires CTE programs to integrate academic, technical, AND employability skills. P2 provides a structured, research-based framework for that third pillar. P2 may be eligible for funding through Perkins V basic and reserve allocations when integrated as an employability skills component of a CTE program of study. Additional funding pathways include: Title I, Title II, Title IV-A, and state CTE grants.

*Subject to state allowability guidelines and local Perkins application approval.

Character strengths are career skills

Every character strength P2 teaches translates directly to competencies employers measure, evaluate, and demand.

Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence

Quality Awareness & High Standards. Promotes craftsmanship, elevates work quality.

Bravery

Courageous Action & Professional Confidence. Supports appropriate risk-taking and speaking up.

Creativity

Innovation & Problem-Solving. Drives competitive advantage.

Curiosity

Intellectual Engagement & Inquiry. Fuels continuous improvement.

Enthusiasm

Engagement & Positive Initiative. Increases motivation, encourages active participation.

Fairness

Equity & Impartial Decision-Making. Builds trust, supports consistent treatment.

Forgiveness

Conflict Resolution & Relationship Repair. Reduces conflict, strengthens teamwork.

Gratitude

Workplace Appreciation & Positive Culture. Strengthens morale, builds relationships.

Humility

Self-Awareness & Receptiveness to Feedback. Supports growth, improves collaboration.

Humor

Positive Communication & Team Morale. Reduces stress, strengthens team connection.

Integrity

Professional Ethics & Trustworthiness. Foundation of every workplace relationship.

Kindness

Empathetic Service & Care. Core to healthcare, education, and hospitality.

Leadership

Initiative & Team Management. Distinguishes high performers from day one.

Love

Relationship Building & Genuine Care. Builds trust, strengthens workplace connections.

Love of Learning

Adaptability & Continuous Learning. Critical for evolving industries.

Open-Mindedness

Critical Thinking & Decision-Making. Reduces errors, improves outcomes.

Optimism

Resilience & Solution-Focused Thinking. Supports adaptability and persistence through setbacks.

Perseverance

Workplace Persistence & Follow-Through. Reduces turnover, completes projects.

Perspective

Strategic Thinking & Sound Judgment. Improves decisions, strengthens problem-solving.

Prudence

Risk Assessment & Safety Awareness. Essential for manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.

Purpose

Goal Orientation & Meaningful Contribution. Drives motivation, sustains commitment.

Self-Control

Professional Self-Management. Attendance, punctuality, task completion.

Social Intelligence

Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills. #1 employer complaint about entry-level workers.

Teamwork

Collaborative Professional Skills. Essential for 90% of career pathways.

Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence

Quality Awareness & High Standards. Promotes craftsmanship, elevates work quality.

Bravery

Courageous Action & Professional Confidence. Supports appropriate risk-taking and speaking up.

Creativity

Innovation & Problem-Solving. Drives competitive advantage.

Curiosity

Intellectual Engagement & Inquiry. Fuels continuous improvement.

Enthusiasm

Engagement & Positive Initiative. Increases motivation, encourages active participation.

Fairness

Equity & Impartial Decision-Making. Builds trust, supports consistent treatment.

Forgiveness

Conflict Resolution & Relationship Repair. Reduces conflict, strengthens teamwork.

Gratitude

Workplace Appreciation & Positive Culture. Strengthens morale, builds relationships.

Humility

Self-Awareness & Receptiveness to Feedback. Supports growth, improves collaboration.

Humor

Positive Communication & Team Morale. Reduces stress, strengthens team connection.

Integrity

Professional Ethics & Trustworthiness. Foundation of every workplace relationship.

Kindness

Empathetic Service & Care. Core to healthcare, education, and hospitality.

Leadership

Initiative & Team Management. Distinguishes high performers from day one.

Love

Relationship Building & Genuine Care. Builds trust, strengthens workplace connections.

Love of Learning

Adaptability & Continuous Learning. Critical for evolving industries.

Open-Mindedness

Critical Thinking & Decision-Making. Reduces errors, improves outcomes.

Optimism

Resilience & Solution-Focused Thinking. Supports adaptability and persistence through setbacks.

Perseverance

Workplace Persistence & Follow-Through. Reduces turnover, completes projects.

Perspective

Strategic Thinking & Sound Judgment. Improves decisions, strengthens problem-solving.

Prudence

Risk Assessment & Safety Awareness. Essential for manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.

Purpose

Goal Orientation & Meaningful Contribution. Drives motivation, sustains commitment.

Self-Control

Professional Self-Management. Attendance, punctuality, task completion.

Social Intelligence

Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills. #1 employer complaint about entry-level workers.

Teamwork

Collaborative Professional Skills. Essential for 90% of career pathways.

Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence

Quality Awareness & High Standards. Promotes craftsmanship, elevates work quality.

Bravery

Courageous Action & Professional Confidence. Supports appropriate risk-taking and speaking up.

Creativity

Innovation & Problem-Solving. Drives competitive advantage.

Curiosity

Intellectual Engagement & Inquiry. Fuels continuous improvement.

Enthusiasm

Engagement & Positive Initiative. Increases motivation, encourages active participation.

Fairness

Equity & Impartial Decision-Making. Builds trust, supports consistent treatment.

Forgiveness

Conflict Resolution & Relationship Repair. Reduces conflict, strengthens teamwork.

Gratitude

Workplace Appreciation & Positive Culture. Strengthens morale, builds relationships.

Humility

Self-Awareness & Receptiveness to Feedback. Supports growth, improves collaboration.

Humor

Positive Communication & Team Morale. Reduces stress, strengthens team connection.

Integrity

Professional Ethics & Trustworthiness. Foundation of every workplace relationship.

Kindness

Empathetic Service & Care. Core to healthcare, education, and hospitality.

Leadership

Initiative & Team Management. Distinguishes high performers from day one.

Love

Relationship Building & Genuine Care. Builds trust, strengthens workplace connections.

Love of Learning

Adaptability & Continuous Learning. Critical for evolving industries.

Open-Mindedness

Critical Thinking & Decision-Making. Reduces errors, improves outcomes.

Optimism

Resilience & Solution-Focused Thinking. Supports adaptability and persistence through setbacks.

Perseverance

Workplace Persistence & Follow-Through. Reduces turnover, completes projects.

Perspective

Strategic Thinking & Sound Judgment. Improves decisions, strengthens problem-solving.

Prudence

Risk Assessment & Safety Awareness. Essential for manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.

Purpose

Goal Orientation & Meaningful Contribution. Drives motivation, sustains commitment.

Self-Control

Professional Self-Management. Attendance, punctuality, task completion.

Social Intelligence

Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills. #1 employer complaint about entry-level workers.

Teamwork

Collaborative Professional Skills. Essential for 90% of career pathways.

Get started

Ready to bring career-ready character to your CTE program?

Contact us to schedule a CTE consultation, request a pilot, or learn how Perkins V funding can support P2 in your district.

Read success stories from P2 Partner high schools