Overview of Mississippi CTE Internship Programs in High Schools
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) oversees Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in high schools, aligned with 17 national career clusters to provide hands-on training for postsecondary education, industry credentials, or workforce entry. These programs integrate academics with technical skills, emphasizing work-based learning (WBL) as a capstone for pathway completion. The Architecture & Construction career cluster (CIP Code: 46.0000) focuses on designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining structures, with pathways in trades like carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, welding, and construction management. All programs follow standardized curricula developed by the Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) at Mississippi State University and partner with the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation (MCEF) for National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) accreditation.
To complete a pathway and earn a CTE endorsement (e.g., on the transcript), students must:
- Complete a sequence of 3-4 CTE courses (introductory, technical, application levels, totaling 3+ credits).
- Earn an industry-recognized credential (e.g., NCCER Core + Level 1, OSHA 10) or complete structured WBL.
- Participate in WBL, such as internships or apprenticeships, which earns academic credit and aligns with MDE’s Perkins V State Plan (July 2025–June 2029).
WBL is available statewide through the Workplace Academy program, coordinated by local districts and career-technical centers, funded via Perkins V grants (~$15M annually) and MCEF’s $600,000 state grant. It’s open to juniors/seniors (age 16+), often paid/unpaid (e.g., 100+ hours), and emphasizes NCCER-accredited training in 198 programs across 106 centers serving ~4,500 students annually. Mississippi’s construction sector projects 9% growth through 2030, with entry wages ~$45,000+ amid shortages; CTE concentrators achieve 95%+ graduation rates and 85% postsecondary/workforce placement.
Key Internship Program: Work-Based Learning (WBL) in Architecture & Construction
MDE’s primary internship mechanism is the WBL course (Course #9900000), a credit-bearing capstone open to all high school students (not just CTE enrollees). For Construction pathways, it involves supervised placements at sites/firms, applying NCCER skills like blueprint reading, safety, and trades. Programs are NCCER Accredited Training and Education Facilities (ATEFs), with MCEF monitoring quality. WBL requires a training agreement, site visits, and evaluations; it counts toward completer status and can lead to pre-apprenticeships.
| Program/Course Name | Credits | Level/Grade | Description | Eligibility/Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work-Based Learning (WBL) in Construction Trades (Course #9900000, NCCER Capstone) | 0.5-1 (semester/full-year) | Application/Capstone (Juniors/Seniors) | Supervised paid/unpaid placement (10-20 hours/week, min. 100 hours) at construction sites/firms, focusing on carpentry, welding, or electrical under mentor supervision. Includes reflective assessments, employer evaluations, and NCCER integration; leads to Core + Level 1 credentials. Partners with Build Mississippi for hands-on trades. | Age 16+; 2+ pathway credits; CTE teacher recommendation; application with transportation plan. Parent consent; training agreement; quarterly evaluations. Paid options via employer partners ($10-15/hour). |
| Workplace Academy Internship (MCEF/NCCER Focus) | 1 | Capstone (Seniors) | Intensive year-long placement (15+ hours/week) in building trades, combining RTI with on-site work; culminates in portfolio and scholarship eligibility (e.g., MCEF awards for seniors). Emphasizes SkillsUSA competitions. | Senior status; pathway enrollment; good attendance; employer match via district coordinator. Aligns with RCU curriculum; counts as elective credit. Paid/unpaid; targets underrepresented students. |
| Pre-Apprenticeship WBL via Build Mississippi (Summer/Year-Round) | Variable (6-8 weeks summer) | Advanced (Juniors/Seniors) | Paid hands-on intro (20-40 hours/week) in skilled trades like HVAC/plumbing; earns up to $1,300 stipend + credentials. Transitions to full apprenticeships; 300+ high school programs available. | Age 16+; interest in construction; no prior experience required. Application via school CTE center (fall deadlines); DOL registration for 18+. Paid at minimum wage+ with stipends. |
These integrate into the Construction pathway sequence (per 2025-26 RCU frameworks):
- Introductory: Intro to Construction (1 cr.), OSHA 10 Safety (0.5 cr.).
- Technical (Construction Focus): Carpentry I (1 cr.), Electrical Fundamentals (1 cr.), Welding Principles (1 cr.), HVAC Operations (1 cr.).
- Application (WBL Capstone): Advanced Construction Trades with WBL (1 cr.), leading to NCCER credentials.
District and Program Examples
MDE approves CTE pathways in 299 public high schools and 106 career-technical centers, with Architecture & Construction offered in ~200 sites via NCCER ATEFs. Partnerships with MCEF, Build Mississippi, and SkillsUSA enhance WBL. Examples:
- Warren County School District (Vicksburg Career Center): Construction/Carpentry pathway with WBL placements at local builders; NCCER Core earned by 90%+ students; SkillsUSA club for competitions.
- Ocean Springs School District (CTE Center): Building trades focus with internships via MCEF; serves multiple districts with hands-on labs leading to paid co-ops; 85% completers enter apprenticeships.
- Pascagoula-Gautier School District (College and Career Technical Institute): Construction management POS with Workplace Academy WBL; partners with industry for urban trades; nominated for 2025 trade school awards.
- Northwest Mississippi Community College-Area High Schools: Dual-credit construction pathways with WBL; serves rural students with employer-matched internships.
- East Mississippi Community College Partners (e.g., Scooba Campus): Welding/Construction programs with pre-apprenticeship WBL; focuses on equity for special populations.
For a full list, see the MDE CTE Curriculum Frameworks or Build Mississippi Training Directory.
Additional Opportunities and Resources
- MCEF Scholarships: For outstanding seniors in construction CTE; funds postsecondary training.
- Build Mississippi KickStart Classes: 8-week paid intros leading to high school WBL; NCCER-certified.
- Perkins V Grants: Funds WBL expansion, including employer incentives and credentials.
- Certifications: NCCER Core/Level 1, OSHA 10; integrated into WBL and funded via MDE.
- How to Apply: Contact school CTE coordinator; WBL apps via district (fall/spring). Submit recommendation and transportation plan; working papers required for minors.
- Outcomes: Secondary CTE enrollment: 132,189 students; 48.6% of statewide credentials from CTE; strong placement in employment/apprenticeships.
For details, visit MDE CTE Page or email cte@mdek12.org. Mississippi’s construction boom demands 10,000+ skilled workers annually.