Career and Technical Education

Minnesota State plays a critical role in elevating career and technical education in Minnesota by increasing learner access to high-quality career and technical programs. We accomplish this through the Perkins V Legislation. We provide dedicated resources to implement programs and support the range of educational needs of students from career exploration through college and workforce preparation.

The staff in the Career and Technical Education unit provides statewide leadership and support to Minnesota State community and technical colleges and secondary school districts through a consortium partnership model. We support the mission of Minnesota State through the implementation of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) to advance career and technical education for all learners.

The vision, mission, and guiding principles for career and technical education were jointly created by stakeholders from Minnesota State, Minnesota Department of Education, and college and school district partners invested in providing quality CTE programming for all learners in Minnesota.

Karl R. Ohrn

System Director/State Director for Career and Technical Education
(651) 201-1650

karl.ohrn@minnstate.edu

Karl serves a dual role as the State Director for Career and Technical Education in the state and nationally, representing the interests of Minnesota.

The Minnesota Legislature established Minnesota State Colleges and Universities as the eligible Sole State Agency authorized to receive and disburse federal Perkins V funds and to supervise the administration of the state career and technical education programs in the state of Minnesota as recorded in Minnesota State Statute 136F.79. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has authority under State law to perform the functions of the State under the program as specified in the Carl D. Perkins State Plan.