About Focus on the Future

In an effort to raise student awareness regarding the importance of academic achievement related to career preparedness and to promote economic development in Allegany County by keeping Allegany County Public School graduates locally employed, Allegany County wants to ensure students meet the demands of the job market in their future.  To do so, ACPS hosts an annual event called Focus on the Future. This year's event was held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds on November 4 and 5, 2025.

Maryland's Career Clusters

Maryland's CTE programs are organized into career clusters — groups of related career fields that help students explore their interests and build real-world skills. Below is an overview of each cluster available to high school students.

  • Arts, Media & Communication Students combine creativity with technical skills to prepare for careers in video production, graphic communications, web design, interactive media, and game design.
  • Business Management & Finance Programs cover financial services, accounting, marketing, business management, and administrative support, with options to earn industry certifications and college credit.
  • Construction & Development Students explore the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure, with pathways into specific trades, design, or construction management.
  • Consumer Services, Hospitality & Tourism Programs prepare students for careers in culinary arts, restaurant and lodging management, and cosmetology through hands-on internships and mentoring experiences.
  • Environmental, Agriculture & Natural Resources Students explore agriculture, natural resource management, and environmental services — fields driven by advances in biotechnology and growing public concern for environmental health.
  • Health & Biosciences One of the fastest-growing career fields in the country, this cluster prepares students for careers in patient care, research, laboratory settings, and health care management — including pathways toward becoming physicians, nurses, and research scientists.
  • Human Resource Services Programs focus on social services, law enforcement, emergency response, legal services, and education — fields growing in response to increased public need and critical teacher shortages.
  • Information Technology Students build skills in computing, networking, cybersecurity, and other technology-driven fields that are essential to today's economy.
  • Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology Students take on real-world STEM projects related to design, manufacturing, and quality improvement, preparing them for careers as engineers, technologists, or technicians in a high-tech workplace.
  • Transportation Technologies Programs prepare students for careers in the automotive and transportation industry, focusing on the advanced skills needed to manage and maintain modern transportation systems.