Dr. Narineh Makijan shares how regions can move beyond aligning disconnected systems and begin designing workforce ecosystems that create real opportunity for learners. Drawing from her leadership across the Los Angeles Regional Consortium and her work advancing human-centered AI in counseling, she offers a practical framework for building stronger connections between education, employers, and communities.

As part of the 2026 Black in CTE Series celebrating both CTE Month and Black History Month, this episode highlights representation, workforce alignment, and industry-recognized credentials like the FAA Part 107 drone certification.

In Episode 73 of the Global CTE Podcast Sylvester sits down with Michael Herrera, Executive Director of Upper Bucks County Technical School, for a deep conversation on how Career and Technical Education can drive real economic mobility. This episode reframes CTE as modern infrastructure designed to turn interest into impact, skills into wages, and education into dignity and opportunity.

Zachary shares how the program teaches students real-world business skills.