The Michigan Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education (MDE- OCTE), works closely with regional career and technical education (CTE) administrators to provide technical assistance and support for the implementation and improvement of currently operating, and the development of new, career and technical education programs.

Brian L. Pyles, Ph.D. is the State Director for the Office of Career and Technical Education. Brian provides leadership for Michigan’s secondary and postsecondary CTE programs to improve program outcomes, leads policy initiatives, and represents MDE-OCTE at the state and national level.  

CTE Secondary Programs are intentionally structured into 27 Perkins regions, 53 Career and Education Planning Districts. This regional structure provides access to state approved CTE programs for students throughout the state of Michigan.

The Career Readiness Unit is responsible for providing instructional leadership for state approved CTE programs, including professional development and technical assistance activities.  Staff review, approve, monitor and provide support for CTE programs, Early Middle College programs and work-based learning.

The Grants, Assessments, Monitoring, and Evaluation (GAME) Unit is responsible for collecting and reporting data, data evaluation, research activities, funding formulas, technical skill assessments and monitoring for state and federal grant programs.

Michigan’s Early Middle Colleges (EMC), an MDE approved five-year program of study, is designed to allow a pupil to earn a high school diploma and one of the following: 60 transferable college credits, an associate degree, a professional certification, the Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA) technical certificate, or the right to participate in a registered apprenticeship.  

Postsecondary CTE Programs in Michigan are structured into 28 community colleges, three postsecondary associate degree granting institutions, and one Tribal College. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Development (LEO-WD) works in close collaboration with MDE-OCTE to implement postsecondary CTE programs.

To contact the MDE-OCTE, reference the MDE - OCTE Staff Directory (michigan.gov).