Career and technical education programs are facing a critical faculty shortage that jeopardizes vocational training pipelines and local workforce development, federal and sector reports show. Shortfalls stem from tight labor markets, mismatched qualification rules, and low pay relative to industry roles—issues that make it hard to recruit instructors with current industry skills. Education leaders are calling for credential recognition reforms, salary adjustments, and pathways that count industry experience toward faculty qualifications. Without swift action, CTE programs risk losing capacity at a moment when employers cite shortages for skilled trades.