WVSD Career & Technical Education

Why CTE?

Students engage in relevant courses that develop their 21st-century skills and connect them to in-demand careers to achieve a high-quality standard of life.

In West Valley's CTE courses, students will:

Experience natural environments that connect academics to work & life
Develop work ethic, communication, collaboration, planning, and response to feedback and failure
Connect their passion and skills to high-wage careers and T-2-4 training

"They can't be what they can't see."

Career and Technical Education (CTE) helps students realize their successes and value through creating tangible products, serving as mentors or leaders, and succeeding at competitions. Students produce real products and quality work using industry-relevant equipment. In addition, CTE helps answer nearly every student's age-old questions:

"Why am I learning this?"

"When will I ever use this?"

Career & Technical Education courses are where students apply their academic knowledge. Students connect their learning with future career opportunities and workplace readiness skills. Benefits of CTE include:

Attainment of real-world skills
Learning through hands-on experience
Exploring career options and what you are passionate about
Gaining the skills, knowledge, and abilities to pursue fulfilling, rewarding careers

highway showing connection from elementary to middle school to high school

Key Ingredients of Quality CTE

Provide possibilities and pathways through work with real people, doing real things, connected to in-demand careers.

Courses and Pathways Aligned to Workforce Demand

Key industries posting increases in Spokane County are transportation and warehousing, advanced manufacturing, health services, professional and business services, and agriculture. CTE courses help students explore the career path to make an informed Beyond High School Plan.

Students visiting Hutton Settlement to learn about their coffee roasting business

Work-Based & Work-Site Learning Opportunities

Guest Speakers
Expert visits and feedback
Industry site visits
Active participation in advisory committees
Apprenticeships, work-site learning coordination

21st Century Skills (leadership & employability) taught, practiced, assessed

Critical thinking and problem-solving: Application of decision-making processes to projects
Communication (Oral, Interpersonal, Written, Electronic, Presentation) Practiced beyond the classroom through strong CTSO opportunities where students find belonging: DECA, Skills USA (Leaders in CTE), First Robotics, HOSA, etc.

Equitable post-secondary success

High school and beyond planning and guidance
Early (elementary/middle school) opportunities for career awareness and exploration for students and parents, especially in traditionally underrepresented careers
Cross-school volunteer and exhibition experiences to strengthen workforce-relevant career interests and course selection
Attainment of IRCs and Dual Credit

Career and Technical Education relies on and is grateful for partnerships with local industries and businesses such as Wagstaff, Inc. and MacKay Manufacturing.

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