Career and Technical Education: meeting regional workforce needs with hands-on learning

NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON — As career pathways diversify and workforce needs shift across North Central Washington, school districts are increasingly working to balance traditional college preparation with technical and trade-based education.

At Cascade High School, that balance is taking shape through an expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) program designed to expose students to a wide range of post-graduation options, according to Cascade School District Superintendent Dr. Tracey Edou.

“I think our program is very innovative, and I'm really proud of it, especially considering our size,” said Edou.

According to Edou, Cascade High School’s CTE subjects are shaped by regional jobs reports and an advisory council of regional employers, leading to programs in information technology, health sciences, and firefighting. However, the program is also driven by student interests, such as materials engineering and design (Woods & Metals), visual arts, and culinary courses.

“It's really important to expose students to possibilities, because you can have all the great classes in the world, but students need to be interested in them, so it's important to build student interest and to help them understand the different opportunities that are available,” said Edou.

Through these programs, students are also earning professional certifications, such as a Red Card, a national certification needed to fight wildland fire, or a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification. Other programs, such as American Sign Language, basic welding, and sports medicine, allow students to earn dual college credits through Wenatchee Valley and Big Bend Community Colleges.

“You're showing an employer that you achieved a certain level of proficiency,’” said Edou.

Community partners also play a large role. For instance, art students market and sell their art at Village Art in the Park, fire students train directly with Chelan County Fire District #3, and early child development students work in Kodiak Cubs Preschool. Most recently, Cascade High School has partnered with Mountain Meadows Senior Living and Cascade Medical Center to offer CNA training.

Edou added that the superintendents of districts across the region often meet and discuss ways in which schools can work together to prepare their students for well-paying careers in North Central Washington. One way districts have expanded options for students is by allowing them to enroll in classes at the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center, a regional hub for career and technical education programs.

“Our number one goal is to prepare all of our graduates for a meaningful destination after they walk across that stage at graduation,” Edou said. “And our partnership with the Skills Center is a piece of that.”

The Skills Center operates under the Wenatchee School District, but students from nine different districts enroll in its programs, according to Director Peter Jelsing. As a standalone facility, the Skills Center has the space, equipment and time needed for larger programs, such as automotive, construction and cosmetology.

“We have a whole building that has 10 different lifts for vehicles,” said Jelsing. “Pretty much everything that you would find that mechanic would do, our students, as juniors and seniors, are doing it.”

The Skills Center’s structure requires students to spend half of their day in their program, compared to a traditional 50 minute period, receiving instruction from industry led teachers. Because of this, Jelsing said, students not only get more in-depth learning experiences, but they also earn training hours required by the state to receive certain certifications.

Additionally, the regional hub enables students from smaller high schools to not only be exposed to more career options, but a broader variety of people and learning environments, according to Jelsing.

“Skill centers are a perfect opportunity for students to try something different, you know, to see other things, meet new people and specifically [people] with similar interests, because, again, students are choosing to come out here based on truly their interest,” said Jelsing.

Over the years, the Skills Center has evolved as the needs of the region and interests of students change. For instance, the hub is looking to add a second year level of construction due to its popularity among students and the need in the community, as well as bring back its dental assistant program. It is also finding ways to adapt to changes within its areas of focus, such as broadening mechanical knowledge beyond gas and diesel to integrate electric vehicles.

“As far as trades will be going, we just have to keep seeing what the changes are, and [asking,] ‘How do we adapt to create jobs and meet the needs?’” said Jelsing.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media