Overview of Illinois CTE Internship Programs in High Schools

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) oversees Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in high schools, aligned with 16 national career clusters to deliver high-skill, high-wage training for in-demand occupations. These programs integrate academics with technical skills, emphasizing work-based learning (WBL) to connect classroom instruction to real-world application. The Architecture and Construction career cluster (CIP Code: 46.0000) focuses on designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining structures, with pathways in areas like building construction, carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and construction management. To complete a pathway and earn a CTE endorsement (e.g., on the high school transcript or for postsecondary articulation), students must:

• Complete a sequence of 2-3+ CTE courses (introductory, technical, application levels).
• Earn an industry-recognized credential (e.g., OSHA 10, NCCER Level 1, Autodesk Certified User) or a structured WBL experience.
• Engage in WBL, which includes internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, cooperative education, or paid work experiences, per ISBE’s CTE Program of Study (CTEPOS) requirements.

WBL is a required continuum from career awareness to immersion, coordinated locally by districts or area career centers, often with community colleges and employers. Funded via Perkins V grants, it’s available to juniors/seniors (age 16+), prioritizing paid placements (e.g., 100+ hours) in construction trades. Illinois’ construction sector projects 8% growth through 2030, with entry wages averaging $50,000+ amid labor shortages. In FY2022, ~266,000 high school students enrolled in CTE, with 48% participation statewide.

Key Internship Program: Work-Based Learning (WBL) in Architecture and Construction

ISBE’s primary internship framework is WBL, embedded in approved CTEPOS for secondary-to-postsecondary transitions. For Construction pathways, it involves supervised placements applying skills like blueprint reading, site safety, and trades at firms or sites, often leading to pre-apprenticeship hours. Workplace Experience courses are taught by approved WBL coordinators and aligned to career development experiences (e.g., internships, apprenticeships). New for SY2026: ISBE will publish an annual public list of employer-submitted WBL opportunities, distributed to districts.

Program/Course Name	Credits	Level/Grade	Description	Eligibility/Requirements
Workplace Experience in Architecture and Construction (ISBE Course # Various, e.g., 17800-17805)	0.5-2 (semester/full-year)	Application/Capstone (Juniors/Seniors)	Supervised paid/unpaid internship (10-20 hours/week, min. 100-135 hours) at construction sites/firms, focusing on carpentry, electrical, or project management. Includes mentor supervision, reflective assessments, employer evaluations, and soft skills; integrates with CTSOs like SkillsUSA. Leads to NCCER/OSHA credentials or youth apprenticeships.	Age 16+; 1-2 pathway credits; teacher/coordinator recommendation; career plan alignment. Parent consent; WBL coordinator required; transportation student responsibility. Paid options ($12-18/hour) via employer partnerships.
Cooperative Education (Co-op) in Construction Trades (Citywide, e.g., CPS Variation)	1-2	Capstone (Seniors)	Year-long paid work-study (15+ hours/week) for advanced students, providing on-the-job training in trades like HVAC/plumbing at partnered sites. Culminates in portfolio and industry certification; aligns with ISBE WBL continuum.	Senior status; strong pathway performance (GPA 2.5+); interview/employer match. Limited to top performers; counts toward CTE endorsement. Paid at minimum wage+.
Youth Apprenticeship/Pre-Apprenticeship in Building Construction (Statewide via Perkins Partners)	Variable (School-Year/Summer)	Advanced (Juniors/Seniors)	Structured paid apprenticeship (200+ hours) with DOL-registered contractors, combining site work and RTI; focuses on union-supported trades (e.g., via IUOE training facility). Includes job shadowing and certifications.	Age 16+; pathway enrollment; union/employer application. Targets underrepresented students; seamless to registered apprenticeships.

These integrate into the pathway sequence (per ISBE 2025 Course Catalog):

• Introductory: Intro to Construction Trades (1 cr.), OSHA 10 Safety (0.5 cr.).
• Technical (Construction Focus): Building Construction I (1 cr.), Electrical Systems (1 cr.), Carpentry Fundamentals (1 cr.), HVAC Principles (1 cr.).
• Application (WBL Capstone): Advanced Construction with Workplace Experience (1-2 cr.), leading to NCCER or Autodesk credentials.

District and Program Examples

ISBE approves CTE pathways in ~800 high schools and 50+ area career centers, with Architecture and Construction offered in ~300 sites. Partnerships with community colleges (e.g., ICCB), unions (e.g., IUOE), and organizations like Chicago Builds enhance WBL. Examples:

• Chicago Public Schools (CPS): Architecture and Construction pathways at 35+ high schools (e.g., via College and Career Academies); Chicago Builds offers 2-year pre-apprenticeship with paid internships; 20,000+ students access WBL, with 80% earning credentials.
• Peoria Public Schools (Woodruff Career and Technical Center): Construction trades pathway with senior-year WBL (e.g., carpentry/electrical co-ops); partners with unions for placements; 90%+ completers enter trades/college.
• Evanston Township High School (ETHS, District 202): Industrial Technology cluster includes Geometry in Construction; summer internships via Department of Early College and Career Experiences; 25%+ CTE concentrators.
• Maine Township District 207 (Maine East/South/West HS): Geo-Construction course with Habitat for Humanity projects leading to WBL; integrates Project Lead the Way for engineering/architecture.
• Collinsville Area Career Center: Exterior Carpentry pathway with co-op internships; serves multiple districts with hands-on labs transitioning to paid placements.

For a full list, see the ISBE CTE Matrix for Architecture and Construction or 2025 Course Catalog.

Additional Opportunities and Resources

• Perkins V Grants: $20M+ annually funds WBL expansion, including employer lists starting SY2026.
• IUOE Training Facility: Free year-long heavy equipment program for seniors; only national site for union training.
• Certifications: OSHA 10, NCCER; integrated into WBL and funded via grants.
• How to Apply: Contact school CTE coordinator; WBL plans via district (fall apps). ISBE’s annual employer list aids matching; working papers required for minors.
• Outcomes: CTE concentrators graduate at 95%+ rates; construction pathways yield 85%+ postsecondary/workforce placement, with strong equity for diverse students.

For details, visit ISBE CTE Page or email cte@isbe.net. Illinois’ infrastructure needs drive 15,000+ annual construction openings.