Career & Technology Education (CTE)

Business and Marketing Education is a program of study whose purpose is to provide students with the skills, attitudes and competencies to be successful in post-secondary study, the workforce, and as adult consumers. Students will gain knowledge and skills in finance, marketing, management, entrepreneurship, accounting, communications and business technology.

Career & Technical Student Organization:  DECA & FBLA

Click on the following links to learn more about occupations in Business, Marketing & Public Administration.

• Management & Administration
• Marketing
• Finance
• Government & Public Administration

Students enrolled in the Cabinet Manufacturing Pathway will learn and master techniques of "Lean Manufacturing" which is the systemic method of eliminating waste within a manufacturing environment.  Students are also trained and certified in state-of-the-art tools and machinery, including CNC automated technology.

Career & Technical Student Organization:  SkillsUSA

Click on the following link to learn more about occupations in Skilled Trades & Technical Sciences.

• Manufacturing
• Architecture & Construction

This  program is designed for students with career interests in the food industry as well as owning their own catering business. The purpose of this course is to develop skills in quantity food preparation, safety and sanitation, planning, customer service, business plans and entrepreneurship.

Career & Technical Student Organization:  FCCLA 

Click on the link below to explore occupations in Hospitality & Tourism.

• Hospitality & Tourism

This pathway is designed to help students understand, communicate and adapt to a digital world as it impacts their personal life, society and the business world.  Exposure to foundational knowledge in hardware, software, programming, web design, IT support and networks.

Click on the link below to learn more about careers in Computer & Digital Technologies.

• Information Technology
• Management & Administration

The Construction Program provides a strong foundation for the skills required by the construction industry.  Students learn about woodworking, carpentry skills, residential plumbing and electrical systems, and advanced trade skills used by industry professionals.  Construction classes are taken off-site at The MiLL.

Career & Technical Student Organization:   SkillsUSA

Click on the links below to learn more about occupations related to Construction.

• Architecture & Construction

Family and consumer sciences, or FACS, is an academic discipline that combines aspects of social and natural science.   FACS deals with the relationship between individuals, families,  communities and the environment in which they live.  The field represents many disciplines including consumer science, nutrition, food preparation, parenting, early childhood education, family economics and resource management, and human development.

Career & Technical Student Organization: FCCLA

Click on the links below to discover occupations in Hospitality, Human Services & Education.

• Hospitality & Tourism
• Human Services
• Education & Training
• Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

The Biomedical Science Pathway is a strong fit for students interested in the field of medicine or who would like to learn about life science.   Students will explore the roles of the biomedical professionals while studying the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology and public health.

Career & Technology Student Organization:  HOSA

Click on the link below to learn more about occupations in Health Sciences.

• Health Sciences
• Agriculture

The courses in Multimedia are designed to help students refine their visual arts experience through project-based learning and teaching students new technology-based art and design tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.  

Career & Technical Student Organization:   SkillsUSA

Click on the link below to learn more about occupations in Commercial Art/Design/Photography.

• Arts, A/V Technology & Communication

Currently only offered at Widefield High School, this program is designed to offer students instruction in basic and advanced techniques of music production including recording MIDI and audio, advanced editing, mixing and mastering skills.  Music Business Internship will provide an introductory overview of the commercial music industry which will include a capstone.

Click on the link below to learn more about occupation in music production.

• Arts, A/V Technology, Communication

From launching space explorations to delivering safe, clean water to communities, engineers find solutions to pressing problems and turn their ideas into reality. PLTW Engineering empowers students to step into the role of an engineer, adopt a problem-solving mindset, and make the leap from dreamers to doers. The program’ s courses engage students in compelling, real-world challenges that help them become better collaborators and thinkers. Students take from the courses in-demand knowledge and skills they will use in high school and for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take.

Career & Technical Student Organization:  SkillsUSA

Click on the links below to discover the various occupations for engineering.

• STEM
• Architecture & Construction
• Manufacturing
• Energy
• Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

The primary goal of the Teacher Cadet program is to encourage academically talented, high achieving, high school students with exemplary interpersonal and leadership skills to consider teaching as a career by providing students an in-depth look at the profession of teaching.

Click on the link below to find out more information regarding teaching as an occupation.

• Education

Students enrolled in this pathway will be introduced to theater production with an emphasis on technical elements.  With the use of professional grade equipment and software, students will be able to create student-lead productions.  They will learn digital video editing software, the basics of shooting video, and the creating digital finished products.  Technical theater introduces students to the methods of constructing sets, stage lighting and sound, and implementing multimedia.

Click on the link below to learn more about occupations using theater technology.

• Arts, A/V Technology, Communication

These classes prepare individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain all types of automobiles.  Students receive instruction on basic automobile maintenance requirements, specific tool uses and safety procedures. Inspection and repair of automotive systems is stressed in the areas of brakes, electrical, suspension, fuel, emissions and tune up procedures. 

Career & Technical Student Organization:  SkillsUSA

Click on the link below to find out more about occupations in Automotive & Transportation.

• Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Welding students will learn the foundational understanding of welding and welding processes.  They will learn the basics of oxy-acetylene welding and torch cutting, plasma cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, wire fee/mig welding and stick arc welding.  

Intro to Welding Technology is taught at each high school and is a prerequisite for Welding A/B which is taken off-site at The MiLL.

Click on the link below to learn more about occupations in welding.

• Architecture & Construction

Work-Based Learning (WBL) is the bridge between K-12 educational practices and the application of post-secondary workforce readiness skills. It is learning about work, learning through work, and learning at work.

Widefield School District 3 (WSD3) will be utilizing the Colorado Work-Based Learning Continuum to increase opportunities for our students so that when they graduate from high school they are prepared for high wage, high skill jobs, and careers.

There are many WBL activities that will supplement our academic content areas and provide students an opportunity to explore careers, learn more deeply about specific jobs or occupations, receive training and resume enhancements, and earn industry-recognized certificates in a career of interest.

As the new WBL coordinator, Kathleen Mena will be collaborating with our Career Technical Education (CTE) teachers to create a framework for post workforce readiness. Each student enrolled in our CTE classes will discover their skills, interests, talents, and aptitudes so they are equipped to make pathway choices for future success. In partnership with the Pikes Peak Business Education Association (PPBEA) Marketplace, students and teachers will be empowered to create an account, search for opportunities, and complete WBL experiences.

• Nursing and related healthcare occupations
• Information technology, computer science, and cybersecurity
• Skilled trades and technical sciences in advanced manufacturing & construction
• Culinary arts and hospitality occupations
• Business operations & customer service occupations

WSD3 offers classes in each area; students can enter the workforce as they earn industry certifications or they can enter the workforce after earning an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. For more information, email Kathleen Mena at menak@wsd3.org.