Each year, under the Perkins statute, Congress authorizes nearly $3.6 million to the Native Hawaiian Career and Technical Education Program (NHCTEP). This funding is designated for community-based organizations primarily serving and representing Native Hawaiians to provide career and technical education programs for Native Hawaiian Students.
In FY 2021, the Department awarded nine grants under the NHCTEP program.
The grantees are:
NHCTEP Project Abstracts, May 2021 (DOCX, 31 KB)
Federal Register Notice for the FY 2021 NHCTEP Competition
(PDF, 264 KB)
In FY 2018, the Department awarded nine three-year grants under the NHCTEP program. Funds for years two and three are subject to the availability of funds and whether a grantee meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.253 (Continuation of multi-year project after the first budget period).
The grantees are:
NHCTEP Project Abstracts, October 2019 (DOCX, 31 KB)
Federal Register Notice for the FY 2018 NHCTEP Competition
(PDF, 225 KB)
The E Ola Pono project, integrated within the Medical Academy of James B. Castle High School, will ensure students’ success in preparing for meaningful careers in the Medical Pathway. Student benefits will include smaller class sizes, focused mentoring, academic counseling, career and college guidance, peer learning opportunities, and work-based learning experiences. The project will provide culture-based education to Native Hawaiian students and foster a community where relationships are formed, and learning is connected to the context of students’ lives applied to the real world. The project will support 75 students to use their education and skills to not only give back to their community, but help it thrive. The project participants will:
Project Narrative " (PDF, 2.40 MB)"
The Ka’ika’i A’o Internship and Workforce Service Program will provide students with targeted support, internships, and relevant hands-on projects that are specific to the following programs at Kaua’i Community College that represent high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations:
The project will further develop CTE student supports, which reflect an improved and ongoing dedication to workforce investment. Through this alignment of educational and business opportunities, the project will work to build stronger communities and live up to the Ka’ika’i A’o name to raise its students up through teaching, advising, and learning together. The project will:
Project Narrative " (PDF, 1.98 MB)"
The Kūlia ma Kapiʻolani project will support Native Hawaiian students to be competitive in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations, through rigorous CTE and STEM programs, while maintaining their identity as a native person. The project will provide introductory college success classes and bootcamps to support college readiness and retention. The project will provide career planning tools, information sessions and orientations to help participants find purpose, pursue their passion, and attain professional success. The project will support 75 students to successfully complete CTE and STEM programs, receive training toward industry certifications, certificates, or degrees, to continue education, and be employed within three to six months after graduation.
Project Narrative " (PDF, 1.65 MB)"
The Kūlia Mau project will improve Leeward Community College’s CTE programs by piloting three activities that will design, implement, expand, evaluate, and improve the career pathways program. The project activities will promote personalized career planning, skill building, and personal/financial supports to increase Native Hawaiians’ readiness to enter STEM, computer science, and in-demand and high-wage careers, including:
The project will deliver industry-linked professional development activities to program instructors and staff supporting STEM courses aligned to in-demand CTE careers, to weave industry needs and employability skills into lessons and advising sessions that increase readiness for in-demand and living-wage careers, and help participants earn academic and industry credentials while providing opportunities to develop valuable employability skills.
Project Narrative " (PDF, 2.75 MB)"
The Maritime Careers Exploration and Placement Program will prepare Native Hawaiian participants with the STEM skills necessary to enter the maritime trades industry. The project will increase job readiness of participants by providing additional stackable credentials, expanding career coaching, and increasing training opportunities in order to improve accessibility for participants from more remote regions throughout Hawaii. The project will:
Project Narrative " (PDF, 1.85 MB)"
The A‘o Kahi Project will expand opportunities for Windward Community College students to obtain recognized CTE and STEM postsecondary credentials and hands-on learning for employment in high-skill, in-demand, and high-wage careers, specifically in computer science and sustainable agriculture. The project will ensure students have equitable access to high-quality CTE programming to improve educational and workforce outcomes; and increase student program support to more than 20 existing CTE and STEM courses, in addition to the current four cybersecurity courses. The project will:
Project Narrative " (PDF, 3.71 MB)"
The Puʻuhonua Wellness – Phase 2: Training in Sustainable Agriculture and Advanced Agricultural Technologies project will partner with Native Nations Education Foundation and Going Home Hawaii to include three integrated core components:
Cohorts and their greater communities will benefit from produce grown in hoop greenhouses constructed and maintained by project participants. The project goal is to increase the knowledge and skills of 55 formerly incarcerated persons and their family members to become self-sustaining. To address social and economic stability, this project will utilize a multifaceted approach to develop personal and employability skills, which includes a comprehensive intake and enrollment process, a remedial education component, CTE coursework, a cultural-based framework for self-actualization, workforce readiness assessments, job placement assistance, and other support services.
Project Narrative " (PDF, 3.31 MB)"
The Kealaho‘imai: CTE Pathways for Returning to Health and Wellness project will prepare 376 participants over a 5-year period to enter high-skill, in-demand, and well-paying career pathways within Maui County’s growing healthcare and wellness industries. In partnership with University of Hawaii Maui College, the project will offer the following recognized postsecondary credentials:
The project will address Native Hawaiians’ academic barriers to gaining admission into competitive nursing, dental hygiene, and other health science associate degree programs. Activities will include supplementary instruction for challenging science and math pre-requisite courses and a nursing admission exam preparation course. The project will use cohorts to create supportive peer learning relationships, provide financial assistance and personalized guidance, and empower participants to see themselves as part of a culturally competent workforce that cares for the health and wellness of their communities.
Project Narrative " (PDF, 3.09 MB)"
The Hana Lima project will serve 400 students to embrace the concept of ma ka hana ka ‘ike, to learn by doing, in partnership with University of Hawaii Maui College. The project will address gaps in Maui’s Native Hawaiian student educational attainment rate, poverty rate and academic achievement. The project will expose students to multiple CTE fields and computer science coding and will provide a sequence of activities that will increase the number of high school students entering in-demand, high-wage CTE pathways, including:
The project will increase on-time high school graduation, postsecondary credit completion, completion of work-based learning experiences, attainment of recognized credentials for CTE concentrators, and intent to a pursue CTE pathway career.
Project Narrative " (PDF, 3.89 MB)"
Through a partnership between ALU LIKE, Inc., a Native Hawaiian non-profit human services organization, the Honolulu Community College proposes the Poʻi Nā Nalu (crest of the wave) Program, to train Native Hawaiian students in their pursuit of CTE and STEM degree and certificate attainment.
The college is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and College and provides industry-recognized credentials, certificates, and degrees in 23 accredited CTE and STEM programs and proposes to offer training to 80 Native Hawaiian students annually in the following CTE and STEM Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and Associate of Science (AS) degree programs:
Additionally, the program will provide mentoring services; financial assistance; CTE and STEM visits to career sites; internships; pre-transfer activities; and community service opportunities.
Through a partnership with ALU LIKE, Inc., a Native Hawaiian non-profit human services organization, the James B. Castle High School, is proposing to provide the E Ola Pono project, Health Care Academy, as a distinct project within the high school’s Medical Academy Pathway. The E ‘Ola Pono project is designed to prepare Native Hawaiian students for careers in the health care field. The project will provide training to 75 students in the following areas:
Project instructors have ready access to a network of professional Native Hawaiians in a variety of health care and cultural fields. Participants will gain the background, hands-on experience, and service-learning opportunities that will help them determine their career pathway choice leading to successful completion of high school, continuation into further studies toward health care degrees, and related employment. Health industry partnerships will ensure that students are proficient in skills learned and connections with postsecondary and consortia partners will prepare students to transition into postsecondary training and education.
Castle High School’s E ‘Ola Pono Project offers an integrated program of study designed for Native Hawaiian students in grades 10-12 who are interested in pursuing health care related careers. Health Careers Academy classes are infused with rigorous academic content focused on health care themes, and consist of two levels of career and technical education classes: Health Services Core, Clinical Health, along with Mathematics, Science, Geometry and Human Physiology.
Native Hawaiian students will be able to use their education and skills to give back to their community, including through health screenings, through the unique partnership with a local retirement community, which provides job shadowing opportunities. Also, students will gain hands-on experience in the health care field and will be able to utilize these skills upon successful completion of high school or in postsecondary education. Additional services incorporated into the project include smaller class sizes, mentoring and academic counseling, college and career guidance, and Mathematics and English tutorials.
Upon award in FY 2019, through a partnership between ALU LIKE, Inc., a Native Hawaiian non-profit human services organization, the Kapi’olani Community College is proposing to increase enrollment, retention, and certificate and associate degree completion in career and technical education and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) majors, supporting student internship practicums, and increasing career aspirations through developed pathway guidance and providing employment opportunities in high-demand jobs.
The objective of this project is to better prepare the students whose goal is to enter the fields of:
Training will be provided to 75 students per year.
Through a partnership between ALU LIKE, Inc., a Native Hawaiian non-profit human services organization and the Kauai Community College, the project will recruit, train, and mentor 30 students in the following career and technical education trades programs:
The program will produce skilled graduates able to work in high skill, high wage, and high demand jobs. Additionally, the program will provide funding for internships specific to each program, resources for tools and educational supplies, mentors for experiential learning, and professional development resources for faculty/lecturers/staff of each trades program to apply relevant training and for improving guidance and training for program participants.
Through a partnership between ALU LIKE, Inc. a Native Hawaiian non-profit human services organization, the Marimed Foundation proposes to provide maritime training, education, and job placement services for unemployed and underemployed Native Hawaiian men and women. The Marimed Foundation is a member of the Tall Ships America, the National Career Pathways Network, and accredited by the Association for Experiential Education.
The Maritime Careers Exploration and Placement Program is designed to introduce participants to numerous high wage occupations in the maritime field, and requirements necessary to obtain them. Program staff will provide curriculum and hands-on activities designed to engage learners from a multi-disciplinary approach, including classroom, on-water, industry site visit, and interisland voyaging experiences. Maritime industry leaders and community partners provide instruction and work-site tours. The culmination of participant’s experience is a 5-day interisland voyage aboard Marimed’s training vessel, a U.S. Coast Guard Certified Sailing School Vessel.
The program will provide maritime career education, practicum experience, as well as industry standard certifications to 210 participants over the next 3 years in the following areas:
The Careers Exploration and Placement Program will offer job placement services through many of its industry partners.
Through a partnership between ALU LIKE, Inc., a Native Hawaiian non-profit human services organization, the Windward Community College (WCC) is proposing to expand opportunities for Native Hawaiian students to obtain recognized postsecondary credentials and hands-on learning in Computer Science Technology, specifically in Cybersecurity. WCC will provide career and technical education training to 66 students in the following areas:
The project objectives are: 1) improve existing offerings in cybersecurity at WCC through enhancing learning environment resources, 2) expand opportunities for students to acquire degrees, and 3) create opportunities for students to apply learned skills in student-employee positions on campus, as well as internships at external agencies. Major activities include a yearly summer boot camp, improved course offerings, student employment and internships, and creation of a pathway from the associate’s degree to a bachelor of applied science.
Through a partnership with the University of Hawaii - Hawaii Community College, Going Home Hawaii, Indigo Impact Initiative, and Polycom Inc., Blueprint for Change (BFC), a Native Hawaiian community-based organization, will provide career and technical education training to 150 Native Hawaiian students and formerly incarcerated Native Hawaiians in the following areas:
The Hawaii Community College CTE training programs will be provided on the main campus and a satellite campus. This approach will increase the number of participants receiving training. Going Home Hawaii consists of 50 public and private entities and will provide the project with support from criminal justice and mental health agencies, substance abuse treatment providers, educational providers, employment specialists, and housing specialists. The Indigo assessment tool will be used for career guidance, self-awareness and to help participants identify viable career fields. Polycom, Inc. infrastructure will support the classroom’s distance education delivery.
The programs are designed to align and support local job demand and workforce needs.
In partnership with the University of Hawaii Maui College, the Hui No Ke Ola Pono, Inc., a Native Hawaiian community-based organization, proposes the Pathways to Health and Wellness project, to serve 210 Native Hawaiian students, over the three-year project period, for accelerated career pathways in the health care and wellness industry.
The project will create systemic change to better serve the Native Hawaiian community through rigorous competency-based trainings infused with a culture-based approach, and work-based learning experiences in the following CTE programs:
Additional project activities include financial literacy training, academic advising, career and workforce navigation, and access to health and wellness services.
Project objectives are: 1) increase the enrollment, retention and completion of Native Hawaiians in career technical education courses in health care and wellness; 2) incorporate culture-based teaching methods proven effective for Native Hawaiians. 3) integrate academic and professional studies in real-world practice; and 4) increase the career aspirations of Native Hawaiians.
The Native Hawaiian Education Association (NHEA) is a private non-profit organization of Native Hawaiian educators. NHEA will collaborate with the University of Hawaii at Maui College, to provide training to 100 students annually in the following areas:
The services provided by the project will create opportunities for students to acquire licenses, degrees, and certifications. The NHEA will create a One Stop Career and Education Resource Center to assist Native Hawaiian CTE students in promoting interests and skills in education and career pathways. The training programs focus on high paying and high demand jobs on and off the reservation.
The Maui Electric Company will donate an electric vehicle for the project. The Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Program will prepare students for a variety of careers in automotive technology and repair.
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*Native Hawaiian Career and Technical Education Program Student Stipends, August 22, 2022
(PDF, 205 KB)
Patti Beltram
Patti.Beltram@ed.gov
(202) 987-1370
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education
Division of Academic and Technical Education