Cluster Background Information

In 1996, the U.S. Dept. of Education divided the world of work into 16 groupings of occupations called Career Clusters. These groupings were based on common knowledge and skills required for success in a Career Cluster. The U.S. Dept. of Energy provided seed money to begin the development of resources related to each of these clusters. After that funding source was used the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education consortium, representing all states and territories, now began funding and providing oversight of this Career Clusters Initiative now known as the States' Career Clusters Initiative.