Career Technical Education (CTE)

Your High School. Your Pathway. Your Headstart.

Career Technical Education (CTE) across the Nevada Joint Union High School District empowers students to explore high-demand careers by building real-world skills and participating in hands-on, work-based learning opportunities. Through comprehensive academic preparation and practical experience, CTE supports students in making informed decisions about postsecondary education, technical training, and career directions.

Nevada Joint Union High School District offers 15 distinct CTE pathways across 8 primary industry sectors. Designed as a coherent series of courses, each pathway progresses from foundational concepts to advanced concentrator coursework, culminating in capstone projects, industry-recognized certifications, postsecondary college credit, or real-world internships.

Why Choose CTE?

CTE is designed for every student—whether planning to attend a four-year university, earn a community college degree, enter a technical apprenticeship, or jump straight into a rewarding career.

Real-World Experience: Learn by doing with professional tools, software, machinery, and industry-grade equipment.
Earn College Credit Early: Many CTE courses offer dual-enrollment college credit, saving tuition costs and accelerating postsecondary degree plans.
Industry Certifications: Graduate with recognizable credentials that give you an immediate competitive edge in the job market.
Work-Based Learning & Internships: Connect directly with local business leaders, mentors, and industry partners for site visits, job shadowing, and internship placements.
Informed Decision Making: Test-drive career fields in high school so you can make confident, informed choices about your postsecondary education and future goals.

How a CTE Pathway Works

Every pathway is structured as a progressive 3-course sequence:

1. Concentrator: The first course in the sequence, introducing foundational concepts, safety, and core technical skills.

2. Capstone: The second course in the sequence, advancing technical training through complex projects and industry-standard applications.

Pathway Completer Honor: After completing the Concentrator +Capstone course, students earn official status as a Pathway Completer—an award recognized by both the Nevada Joint Union High

School District and the California Department of Education.

3. Pathway Mastery: The third or fourth class in the sequence, focusing on real-world practice with internship opportunities, advanced project leadership, dual college credit, and industry certifications.