Five Questions with Contentra's New Program Manager, CTE, Melissa Wisniewski

Congratulations on your new role Program Manager, CTE at Contentra. CTE has evolved significantly over the past several years. What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in how organizations are approaching Career & Technical Education?

One of the most significant shifts in my experience has been in how broadly people now understand who CTE serves. CTE is no longer just an alternate route for students deciding whether to attend college. It serves high school students as they explore career options, supports college-bound students as they build practical skills that complement their postsecondary education, helps college graduates expand their skill sets and advance their careers, and provides adult learners with opportunities to continue developing professionally while growing personally. CTE truly benefits learners at every stage of life.

Organizations are also moving beyond teaching students about a career and focusing more on preparing learners to participate in one. That means connecting content to real-world applications, current technology, industry-recognized certifications, authentic projects, and the human skills people need in every workplace.

That shift is incredibly important to me. As a lifelong learner, I know that education does not end when someone earns a diploma or degree. We should always have opportunities to learn something new, strengthen who we are, and continue preparing for what comes next.

Many organizations are focused on keeping curriculum current with changing industries and workforce needs. Why has course modernization become such an important part of CTE today?

The world of work is changing too quickly for CTE courses to remain static. Technology evolves, industry practices change, and entirely new careers emerge. Course modernization helps ensure that learners are building skills that are relevant now while also developing the ability to adapt as their industries continue to change.

Modernization is more than updating screenshots, software versions, or terminology. It is an opportunity to look at the entire learning experience. Are learners using current tools? Are they developing competencies that employers value? Are they solving realistic problems? Can they apply what they are learning beyond the course?

This matters for learners at every stage. Someone may be exploring a career for the first time, returning to education after many years, earning a certification to advance in a current position, or learning a completely new skill after earning a college degree. Modern CTE courses can meet people wherever they are and help them take their next step.

Effective CTE programs require more than strong content. How do instructional design and authentic learning experiences help prepare students for the workforce?

Strong content matters, but content alone does not create career readiness. Learners need opportunities to use what they are learning in ways that feel meaningful and connected to the real world.

A solid development team builds that bridge. The team must include actual teachers, subject matter experts, and instructional designers. It turns industry knowledge into experiences where learners make decisions, solve problems, complete projects, receive feedback, and improve their work. Instead of simply memorizing information, they begin to understand how that knowledge is used within an actual career.

Partnership has become increasingly important as organizations work to connect education and workforce needs. What does a successful partnership look like when developing and modernizing CTE programs?

A successful partnership begins with listening. The best work happens when everyone feels comfortable sharing what is working, what is not, and what learners truly need. It also requires bringing the right people together. Educators understand how people learn. Industry experts understand the skills and expectations of the workplace. Instructional designers know how to create meaningful learning experiences.

The strongest partners become an extension of the team. They build trust, communicate openly, anticipate challenges, and remain flexible. Most importantly, they never lose sight of the people at the center of the work. We are not simply developing courses. We are creating opportunities for people to discover new possibilities, strengthen their skills, and continue growing throughout their lives.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of Career & Technical Education and the opportunities to better prepare students for what’s next?

What excites me most is the opportunity to make relevant, career-connected learning available to more people at every stage of life.

CTE can help a high school student discover a career they did not know existed. It can help a college student connect academic learning to practical experience. It can help a college graduate earn a certification, a working adult advance in a career, or someone else begin an entirely new one. It can also serve lifelong learners who simply believe, as I do, that there is always something new to learn.

Technology and AI will continue to change how we work, but that makes the human side of education even more important. People will need curiosity, creativity, judgment, adaptability, and the confidence to keep learning. CTE has the ability to bring together technical knowledge, real-world experience, and personal growth.

That is why I am so passionate about this work. CTE is not just one pathway or one moment in someone’s education. It can be part of a lifetime of learning, growth, and opportunity. It truly is for everybody.

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