About

For decades Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) have played a crucial role in developing leadership and technical skills among students in Career Technical Education (CTE) programs across the country. These organizations provide extracurricular opportunities for students to engage in leadership development and skill-building activities at both state and national levels. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, national CTSO organizations have had a significant instructional impact across various CTE sectors.

The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act acknowledges the importance of CTSOs in CTE instruction and authorizes funding to support their implementation at local and state levels. Currently, California has six nationally recognized CTSOs that serve as the primary means of student support and leadership training. However, there is a pronounced need to expand the reach and impact of these organizations, particularly in creative industries.

According to the annual Otis Report on the Creative Economy, California's economy benefited from an impressive $507 billion in revenues from the creative economy in 2022. This includes sectors such as media, entertainment, technology, and the arts. In response to the growing importance of these industries and the need to equip students with relevant skills, the California Department of Education established the Arts, Media, and Entertainment (AME) sector to provide educators and students with industry-specific knowledge and resources. One recognized missing piece was a statewide youth leadership organization aligning programs with AME standards and pathways, similar to other CTSOs in the state.

To address this gap, the CCLL aims to establish a statewide youth leadership organization modeled after other successful CTSOs like FBLA and SkillsUSA. This organization will build a community for students, with a focus on youth leadership, student engagement, and work-based learning that aligns with creative industry trends and workforce development needs. By providing leadership development curricula, skill-building opportunities, and industry partnerships, this organization will augment technical skill development with tools to make constructive changes in their lives in areas such as identity, self-esteem, and learning.

While CTSOs have demonstrated their value in other CTE programs, there is a need to expand their reach and reflect the work happening in creative industries. The CCLL programs align with AME standards and pathways, providing students with opportunities for leadership development, skill-building, and industry engagement.