Overview of Missouri CTE Internship Programs in High Schools
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) administers Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in high schools through the Missouri Career Pathways initiative, aligning with 14 career clusters to prepare students for postsecondary education, industry credentials, or high-wage careers. These programs integrate academics with hands-on technical training, emphasizing work-based learning (WBL) as a core capstone for pathway completion and the CTE Certificate of Completion (earned by ~30,000 students annually). The Architecture & 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, masonry, and construction management. To earn the CTE Certificate and pathway endorsement (on the transcript), students must:
- Complete a sequence of at least three CTE courses (introductory, technical, application levels).
- Earn an industry-recognized credential (e.g., OSHA 10, NCCER Level 1, AWS Welding) or complete a structured WBL experience (e.g., 100+ hours).
- Participate in WBL, such as internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, or co-ops, per DESE’s WBL Experiences Definitions and the Governor’s Workforce of the Future Challenge Report (released October 2025), which prioritizes expanding WBL partnerships.
WBL is coordinated locally by districts and 57 area career centers, funded via Perkins V grants (~$20M annually) and state initiatives like Registered Youth Apprenticeships (RYA). Available to juniors/seniors (age 16+), it often includes paid/unpaid placements through NCCER-accredited programs and partnerships with the U.S. Department of Labor. Missouri’s construction sector projects 10% growth through 2030, with entry wages ~$50,000+ amid labor shortages; CTE concentrators achieve 95%+ graduation rates and 85% postsecondary/workforce placement.
Key Internship Program: Work-Based Learning (WBL) in Architecture & Construction
DESE’s primary internship framework is WBL, integrated into Programs of Study (POS) for secondary-to-postsecondary transitions. For Construction pathways, it applies skills like blueprint reading, site safety, and trades at firms/sites, often via NCCER Construction Career Pathways and RYA. WBL requires a training agreement, mentor supervision, and evaluations; it counts toward the CTE Certificate if 100+ hours and aligns with the 2025 Workforce Challenge emphasis on business-school partnerships for internships/apprenticeships.
| Program/Course Name | Credits | Level/Grade | Description | Eligibility/Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work-Based Learning Internship in Construction (e.g., Capstone via POS) | 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, electrical, or project management. Includes mentor supervision, reflective assessments, employer evaluations, and CTSO integration (e.g., SkillsUSA). Leads to NCCER/OSHA credentials or pre-apprenticeship hours; aligns with RYA for one-on-one mentoring. | Age 16+; 2+ pathway credits; teacher/coordinator recommendation; ILP alignment. Parent consent; training agreement; quarterly site visits. Paid options ($10-15/hour) via employer partners. |
| Registered Youth Apprenticeship (RYA) in Building Trades | 1-2 | Advanced (Juniors/Seniors) | Paid apprenticeship-style internship (200+ hours) with DOL-registered contractors, combining site work and RTI; emphasizes hazardous trades with waivers for 16-17-year-olds. Culminates in portfolio and journeyman hours; 8 of 57 career centers piloting in 2025. | Age 16+; pathway enrollment; good attendance; employer match via DESE consultant. Targets underrepresented students; application through school coordinator. Paid at minimum wage+. |
| Cooperative Education (Co-op) in Construction Management | Variable (School-Year/Summer) | Capstone (Seniors) | Part-time paid work-study (15+ hours/week) with local builders, applying sustainable practices or heavy equipment skills; integrates Project Lead The Way (PLTW) for design. | Senior status; 3 pathway credits; interview/employer match. WBL coordinator required; counts toward CTE Certificate. Paid; transportation student responsibility. |
These integrate into the Construction pathway sequence (per DESE 2025-26 POS frameworks):
- Introductory: Principles of Construction (1 cr.), OSHA 10 Safety (0.5 cr.).
- Technical (Construction Focus): Building Construction Technologies (1 cr.), Electrical Systems (1 cr.), Carpentry Fundamentals (1 cr.), HVAC Operations (1 cr.).
- Application (WBL Capstone): Advanced Trades with Internship (1 cr.), leading to NCCER or AWS credentials.
District and Program Examples
DESE approves CTE pathways in ~444 high schools and 57 area career centers, with Architecture & Construction offered in ~200 sites via NCCER-accredited facilities. Partnerships with Missouri S&T, ABC Missouri, and PLTW enhance WBL. Examples:
- Lebanon Technology & Career Center (Laclede County): Pilot RYA in construction carpentry with paid internships at local firms; serves multiple districts; 90%+ completers earn NCCER credentials and enter apprenticeships.
- Ritenour School District (St. Louis County): PLTW-integrated Construction pathway with co-ops in biomedical-linked building trades; WBL via business partnerships; high STEM focus with 85% workforce placement.
- Sikeston Career and Technology Center (Scott County): Building trades POS with NCCER WBL placements; externships for teachers lead to student internships; emphasizes rural infrastructure.
- Waynesville Career Center (Pulaski County): Construction management pathway with summer apprenticeships; partners with military bases for heavy equipment roles; 8-year expansion under MOACTE leadership.
- St. Louis Community College-Area High Schools (e.g., via Metro Academic and Classical HS): Urban construction WBL with drone tech integration; aligns with 2025 Drone Conference for pathway enhancements.
For a full list, see the DESE Career Clusters or Approved POS.
Additional Opportunities and Resources
- Pathways for Teachers Grants: Funds educator externships in construction, leading to enhanced student WBL.
- Governor’s Workforce Challenge (EO 25-16): Expands internships via awareness campaigns and employer incentives; survey shows 96% business support.
- Certifications: OSHA 10, NCCER; DESE-approved list includes 200+ IRCs, funded via Perkins V.
- How to Apply: Contact school CTE coordinator or DESE consultant (e.g., Linda Stinson at Linda.Stinson@dese.mo.gov); WBL apps via district (fall deadlines). Use Missouri Connections for ICAP planning; working papers required for minors.
- Outcomes: 92.3% positive CTE views statewide; construction pathways yield 85%+ placement, with RYA boosting leadership skills (82.4%).
For details, visit DESE CTE Page or email careerpathways@dese.mo.gov. Missouri’s infrastructure investments demand 15,000+ construction workers annually.