Overview of Idaho CTE Internship Programs in High Schools
The Idaho Division of Career and Technical Education (IDCTE), under the Idaho State Board of Education, oversees Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in high schools, aligning with 16 national career clusters to foster hands-on skills for postsecondary education, certifications, or workforce entry. These programs emphasize applied learning and career readiness, with work-based learning (WBL) as a core element for pathway completion. The Architecture & Construction career cluster (CIP Code: 46.0000) focuses on designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining structures, including pathways in building construction, carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and welding. To earn a CTE endorsement (e.g., for the Workforce Readiness Diploma, available to juniors/seniors completing a pathway), students must:
- Complete a program of study (POS) sequence of 3+ credits (introductory, technical, application levels).
- Earn an industry-recognized credential (e.g., OSHA 10, NCCER Level 1, AWS Welding) or complete a structured WBL experience.
- Participate in WBL, such as internships or pre-apprenticeships, which can earn high school credit and Advanced Opportunities (AO) funding reimbursement (up to $4,125 per year for seniors).
WBL is coordinated by local districts, Career Technical Schools (CTS), and partners like the Technical College System of Idaho, funded via Perkins V grants. Available to juniors/seniors (age 16+), internships often provide paid/unpaid placements (e.g., 100+ hours) in construction trades, with credit for 135+ hours. Idaho’s construction sector projects 9% growth through 2030, with entry wages averaging $45,000+ amid skilled labor shortages.
Key Internship Program: Work-Based Learning (WBL) in Architecture & Construction
IDCTE’s primary internship framework is WBL under the “Learning Through Work” category, a capstone for CTE pathways. For Construction, it involves supervised placements applying skills like site safety, blueprint reading, and trades at firms or sites, often through CTS or district partnerships. WBL can be internships, pre-apprenticeships, or co-ops, earning high school/college credit and AO funds.
| Program/Course Name | Credits | Level/Grade | Description | Eligibility/Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work-Based Learning Internship in Construction (e.g., via CTS Capstone) | 0.5-1 (semester/full-year) | Application/Capstone (Juniors/Seniors) | Supervised paid/unpaid placement (10-20 hours/week, min. 100-135 hours) at construction sites/firms, focusing on carpentry, welding, or building trades. Includes mentor supervision, reflective journals, employer evaluations, and soft skills training; leads to NCCER/OSHA credentials. Partners with local builders for pre-apprenticeship hours. | Age 16+; 2+ pathway credits; teacher/coordinator recommendation; career plan alignment. Parent consent; transportation student responsibility. Paid options ($12-18/hour) via employers. |
| Pre-Apprenticeship in Construction Trades (School-to-Registered Apprenticeship) | 1-2 | Advanced (Seniors) | Extended WBL (e.g., 200+ hours) with DOL-registered contractors, combining on-site work and related technical instruction (RTI) at CTS/TCSG. Emphasizes hazardous trades with safety waivers; counts toward journeyman hours. | Age 16+; pathway enrollment; approval from school/parents/DOL. Focuses on equity for rural/underrepresented students; paid minimum wage+. |
| CTE Summer Bridge Internship (CWI/Partnered) | Variable (Summer, 1-2 weeks intensive + placement) | Exploratory (Juniors) | Hands-on summer intro (20-40 hours/week) in skilled trades like construction, leading to year-round internships. Includes industry exploration and resume building. | High school junior status; interest in construction; application via school CTE coordinator. Funded via Perkins; paid stipends available. |
These integrate into the Construction pathway sequence (per IDCTE POS frameworks):
- Introductory: Intro to Construction Trades (0.5 cr.), OSHA 10 Safety (0.5 cr.).
- Technical (Construction Focus): Carpentry I (1 cr.), Electrical Fundamentals (1 cr.), Welding Principles (1 cr.), HVAC Basics (1 cr.).
- Application (WBL Capstone): Advanced Building Construction with Internship (1 cr.), leading to NCCER or AWS credentials.
District and CTS Examples
IDCTE approves CTE pathways in ~150 high schools and 17 CTS sites, with Architecture & Construction offered in ~80 programs via hands-on CTS labs. Partnerships with SkillsUSA, ABC Idaho, and local unions enhance WBL. Examples:
- Idaho Falls School District CTE Center (IFSD #91): Construction pathway with internships at local builders; hands-on carpentry/design leading to paid placements; 85% completers enter trades/college.
- College of Southern Idaho CTS (Twin Falls Area): Building Construction POS with WBL co-ops; summer camps for 8th-10th graders transition to high school internships; serves rural students.
- College of Western Idaho (CWI) Partners (e.g., Vallivue High School): Summer Bridge Program for juniors in construction/welding; year-round WBL via Work-Based Learning Center; 90% placement rate.
- COSSA (Canyon-Owyhee School Service Agency, Wilder): Alternative CTE school with construction trades; internships in pipeline/building; 50+ years serving southern Idaho.
- North Idaho College-Area High Schools (e.g., Coeur d’Alene HS): Welding/Construction pathways with WBL at ESI construction firm; dual credit options.
For a full directory, see the Next Steps Idaho CTE Program Directory.
Additional Opportunities and Resources
- Advanced Opportunities (AO) Funding: Reimburses costs for WBL-related credentials/exams (e.g., NCCER); up to $4,125/year for seniors in CTE pathways.
- School-to-Registered Apprenticeship: For 16+ students; monitored by U.S. DOL for national credentials.
- CTE Digital/Online Options: Virtual simulations leading to in-person WBL via Idaho Technical Career Academy.
- Certifications: OSHA 10, NCCER; funded via IDCTE grants.
- How to Apply: Contact school CTE coordinator or Transition Advisor; WBL plans via Next Steps Idaho (fall apps). Working papers required for minors.
- Outcomes: CTE concentrators achieve 95%+ graduation rates; construction pathways yield 80%+ workforce/postsecondary placement, addressing 10,000+ annual openings.
For details, visit IDCTE Site or email cteinfo@idaho.gov. Idaho’s infrastructure boom drives demand for construction talent.