The Vocational Education Question

The Diocese of Arlington covers 21 counties spread out over 6,500 square miles, is home to more than 3 million people, 430,000 of whom are registered Catholics, served by 70 parishes, and over 500 priests, deacons, and religious.

So when the diocese came to Meitler with the challenge of an exploratory study identifying the potential of a Catholic Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, our team fully appreciated the scope.

There are four strong Catholic high schools in the diocese. Each of these is respected for its ability to prepare students for college and beyond. Yet, blossoming in the state is a strong desire for learning skilled trades.

A market analysis of this size is not simple or easy, but Meitler was equipped to meet the challenge.

If the diocese could offer pathways to the increasing numbers of students looking for trade skills, it would strengthen the influence of Catholic-based vocational education.

But a miscalculation could mean a wasted investment. The right implementation of CTE programs in a new school, an existing school, or across schools would make all the difference.

Key Takeaways for Advancement Professionals:

1. How data increases confidence
2. Uncovering opportunities in unexpected places
3. Engaging business leaders and listening to the right voices
4. Fact checking the facts

Does Virginia want Catholic Education for Skilled Trades?

CTE programs are desirable, but what about under the Catholic banner?

Meitler talked to dozens of business leaders, education veterans, parents, and students. Clearly, Virginians were increasingly interested in skilled trades. With rising costs of traditional four-year colleges, the pressures of debt, and labor shortages in many skilled trades, the opportunity needed little affirmation.

However, the strategy had to be airtight. The diocese could not just sink shovels in the ground anywhere, nor model a program without understanding the underlying reason families were choosing vocational schools.

Data collected told a story of interest in shorter times in school, lower tuition costs, and better jobs sooner after graduation. The focus on practical skills from reputable schools gave parents great peace of mind, and gave students confidence in financial stability and independence.

But did Catholic families see high value in the trades within a Catholic high school environment? Would it matter if the faith was present in a career and technical education?

“Meitler delivered a clear, structured assessment, highlighting emerging fields such as health care, construction, and cybersecurity, while also capturing the enthusiasm of families for Catholic-based vocational education.” – Ward Jones, COO, Catholic Diocese of Arlington

The Potential of Vocational Education

Meitler’s team went about answering the questions through six steps:

1. Vision. We formed a steering team to direct the analysis of data and provide connections with industry professionals who would give indispensable qualitative feedback.
2. Pathway and Occupation Identification. We analyzed professions in northern Virginia, and evaluated those professions and pathways, looking for the rate of growth over the past five years, and the number of positions available annually.
3. CTE Educator and Industry Professional Interviews. Industry leaders in the top five pathways and occupations were interviewed, along with CTE educators and administrators.
4. CTE Program Site Visits. We visited four locations, including a full-time high school, a part-time career center, and a hybrid, where CTE is offered. Each represented a different potential model for the Diocese to imitate. Each was unique and offered concrete examples of how the theoretical program could be realized.
5. Stakeholder Survey. After identifying the top pathways, professions, and potential models, and listening to industry veterans, we conducted a large-scale survey across the diocese. This survey tested the appeal of a CTE program among parents and students.
6. Location Analysis. After the survey concluded, we analyzed survey data to uncover the top four choices for a location that maximized enrollment commitments.

“Meitler Consulting provided exceptional guidance in helping the Diocese of Arlington discern the feasibility of establishing a vocational and technical school.” – Ward Jones, COO, Catholic Diocese of Arlington

Asking the Right Questions about Vocational Education

Since this was a new kind of project for us, we were intentional about modifying our processes and procedures, adapting to analyzing a new set of data, and conducting purposeful focus groups and interviews.

It’s important to ask the right questions; in this case about Catholic CTE programs:

1. Why should a Catholic diocese consider a CTE high school?
2. How do CTE programs impact Catholic school enrollment?
3. What does a feasibility study reveal before launching a CTE school?

Insights from our Explorative Study

We procured an amazing response of over 3,000 completed surveys, proving that this topic matters deeply to a wide range of Virginians. The answers were extremely helpful to understand such a vast geography and the best way to meet a universal need for education and employment.

Our location analysis identified four potential locations that would encompass the highest number of students who responded to the affirmative in whether they would definitely or likely enroll in this proposed school.

While these four locations were the best options for the largest numbers of survey respondents, they could still pose a challenge to families living outside a 30-minute travel radius. The next challenge is pinpointing the best single location, or whether to adopt a model that allows for different programs in multiple locations.

We learned convincingly that there is an opportunity for Catholic high schools to offer more in the way of career and technical education. While Catholic high schools do a tremendous job of getting students to college, we need to find alternatives for students who are not college driven.

Programs like these can provide opportunities for discernment, which could have a positive effect on college attrition rates and reduce costs from changed majors.

In addition, Catholic career and technical education can seed various trades with young leaders with strong executive functioning, values, and character.

“We highly recommend them to any diocese seeking strategic insight.” – Ward Jones, COO, Catholic Diocese of Arlington

Opportunities are just beneath the surface. Learn how Meitler partners with the Catholic Church to strategically plan for a bright future.

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