The Trust Framework

Career and Technical Education systems thrive not just on policy or funding—but on trust. The kind that allows schools, employers, intermediaries, and communities to move from fragmented programs to aligned, durable, and equitable pathways.

Below are the three foundational forms of trust that guide our work building and sustaining youth apprenticeship ecosystems:

Benevolence-Based Trust

"They’re in it for the same
reason we are."

This trust builds when partners prioritize student futures over institutional convenience. It's what allows a school district to listen when an employer says a program isn’t rigorous enough—and what compels an industry leader to show up, month after month, to help redesign it.

In CTE Collaborations, benevolence is not sentiment—it’s structure. We build systems where benevolence is visible in co-created goals, shared wins, and feedback loops that center learners, especially those historically excluded from opportunity.

Framework Actions:

Create shared student success metrics rooted in opportunity equity
Structure meetings to surface community voice and lived experience
Ensure partners see their role in advancing both education and justice

Competence-Based Trust

"They’re capable—and they know how to build capacity."

Competence in the PLC model isn’t just about knowing your content—it’s about co-designing across sectors. We use structured Employer Competency Mapping (ECM) processes, open-source competency frameworks, and credit-aligned mastery assessments to make sure every stakeholder can see the connection between classroom and career.

When trust in competence is high, stakeholders don’t just coordinate—they co-own learning design.

Framework Actions:

Lead Employer Competency Mapping (ECM) mapping with educators and employers
Translate competencies into credit-bearing, credential-aligned outcomes
Provide training and tools for stakeholders to build each other’s capacity

Integrity-Based Trust

"They’re transparent. They follow through. We’re equals at the table."

This is the glue. Without integrity, collaboration breaks. In your Trust Framework, integrity is not assumed—it’s operationalized. It shows up in how decisions are made, how data is shared, and how power is balanced.

CTE Collaboration embeds integrity by building real governance structures, publishing shared progress data, and establishing norms for distributed authority and accountability.

Framework Actions:

Establish multi-stakeholder PLCs with voting rights and defined roles
Implement public progress dashboards and student-centered KPIs
Codify commitments through MOUs, workplans, and transparent governance