Across New Mexico, schools continue to strengthen career pathways that connect high school learning to postsecondary education and workforce opportunities. As educators review new state resources and emerging research, one theme remains consistent: students benefit most when pathways include clear, industry-aligned credentials connected to real employment demand.
National research supports what New Mexico educators are observing locally. A study by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute found that students who earn industry-recognized credentials in high school experience modest but meaningful benefits, including stronger early employment outcomes and higher initial earnings, particularly for students who enter the workforce soon after graduation. Importantly, the study also found that earning an industry-recognized credential did not reduce students’ likelihood of enrolling in postsecondary education, addressing a common concern that career credentials may limit college-going. Instead, the research suggests that credentials function best as part of a broader pathway strategy, supporting workforce entry while preserving postsecondary options. The strongest outcomes were associated with credentials aligned to labor market demand and embedded within coherent programs of study.
This emphasis mirrors New Mexico’s approach to pathway quality and alignment. The New Mexico Public Education Department’s recently released New Mexico Resource Center for CTE is designed to support this work by helping educators and leaders align Career Technical Education programs with labor market information, postsecondary options, and industry needs. While the resource is valuable for high school planning, its reach extends beyond graduation by illustrating how pathways can lead to college credentials, workforce entry, and long-term career opportunities. Together, New Mexico’s Resource Hub for CTE and emerging research underscore a shared message: industry-aligned credentials are most impactful when they are part of well-designed pathways that support students’ transitions from high school to college and careers.
Read more:
Giani, M. (2022). How Attaining Industry-Recognized Credentials in High School Shapes Education and Employment Outcomes.Thomas B. Fordham Institute.
