Foundation Knowledge and Skills

Each Career Cluster has foundation knowledges and skills. You learn and practice these skills in school classrooms and activities. The school activities might include job shadowing, mentoring, and internships.

In addition, you learn and practice these skills in activities at home and other places outside of school.

Learning and practicing these skills will help you be successful in any work you choose.

Academic Foundations

• Demonstrate the level of academic competency required for chosen career field.

Career Development

• Understand the career management process including the structure and dynamics of their chosen career field.
• Balance demands of school, work, extracurricular activities, leisure time, and family life and takes responsibility for developing his or her own personal and professional growth.

Communication

• Demonstrate the ability to speak, listen, read, and write to function successfully in a variety of settings including school, home, and the work site.

Employability Skills

• Demonstrate key employability skills and understand how they enhance employment opportunities and job satisfaction.

Information Technology Applications

• Identify and apply appropriate technologies.

Leadership and Teamwork

• Work professionally and respectfully with a diverse group of individuals and cultures, including peers, teachers, co-workers, supervisors, and/or customers.
• Resolve conflicts in a constructive manner.
• Appreciate cultural difference.

Legal Responsibilities and Ethics

• Understand legal responsibilities, limitations of their actions, and cultural, social, and ethnic diversity.

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

• Identify problems, understand their context, and develop solutions.

Safety, Health and Environmental

• Understand the health and safety issues inherent in the cluster.
• Understand the existing and potential hazards to clients, co-workers, and self.

Systems

• Understand the importance of adhering to established policies and procedures.
• Understand how their role fits into their department, their organization, and the overall environment of their chosen career field.
• Understand the role of the careers/businesses in the field within the larger community.

Technical Skills

• Attain and apply the technical skills required for chosen career field.