Overview of Tennessee CTE Internship Programs in High Schools
The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) administers Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in high schools, aligned with 16 national career clusters to prepare students for postsecondary education, industry-recognized credentials (IRCs), or high-skill, high-wage careers. These programs integrate academics with technical skills, emphasizing work-based learning (WBL) as a required capstone for pathway completion under the 2025-26 CTE Programs of Study Guide. 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, and drafting. To complete a pathway and earn a CTE concentration (e.g., on the transcript, qualifying for Ready Graduate status), students must:
- Complete a sequence of at least three CTE courses (introductory, technical, application levels, totaling 3 credits).
- Earn an IRC (e.g., OSHA 10, NCCER Level 1) or complete structured WBL (e.g., 100+ hours).
- Participate in WBL, such as internships, practicums, apprenticeships, or job shadowing, which bridges classroom learning to real-world application.
WBL is coordinated locally by districts and career centers, funded via Perkins V grants (~$20M annually) and state initiatives like the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA), which provides 100% state-funded CTE support. Available to juniors/seniors (age 16+), it prioritizes paid/unpaid placements through partnerships with employers, community colleges (e.g., Tennessee College of Applied Technology – TCAT), and programs like Elevate TN for internships. Tennessee’s construction sector projects 9% growth through 2030, with entry wages ~$48,000+ amid shortages; in 2024-25, over 300,000 high school students enrolled in CTE, with 51,427 WBL credits earned (up 18% from prior year).
Key Internship Program: Work-Based Learning (WBL) in Architecture & Construction
TDOE’s primary internship mechanism is WBL, a capstone in approved programs of study (POS), including Construction Practicum (Course #6160). 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 or TCAT dual credits. WBL requires a training agreement, mentor supervision, and evaluations; it counts toward concentration status if 100+ hours and aligns with CTSOs like SkillsUSA. Elevate TN expands access with paid internships and resume-building tied to local employer needs.
| Program/Course Name | Credits | Level/Grade | Description | Eligibility/Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Practicum (Course #6160, WBL Capstone) | 1 (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 HVAC. Includes mentor supervision, reflective assessments, employer evaluations, and portfolio development; leads to OSHA 10/NCCER credentials. Integrates SkillsUSA and Elevate TN for job shadowing. | Age 16+; 2+ pathway credits; teacher recommendation; training agreement. Parent consent; quarterly site visits. Paid options via employer partners ($10-15/hour). |
| WBL: Career Practicum (Course #6105, Construction Focus) | 0.5-1 | Capstone (Seniors) | Year-long paid work-study (15+ hours/week) combining RTI with on-site trades like plumbing/masonry; culminates in capstone project and IRC. Offered in districts like Knox County. | Senior status; pathway enrollment; ILP alignment; employer match. WBL coordinator required; counts toward Ready Graduate. Paid at minimum wage+. |
| Elevate TN Internship (Statewide via Partnerships) | Variable (School-Year/Summer) | Advanced (Juniors/Seniors) | Paid experiential learning (200+ hours) with local employers, emphasizing sustainable construction; includes resume-building and pre-apprenticeship hours. Targets underrepresented students. | Age 16+; pathway interest; application via school coordinator. Aligns with TDOE WBL continuum; funded by Perkins V. Paid; leads to TCAT enrollment. |
These integrate into the pathway sequence (per 2025-26 TDOE POS Guide):
- Introductory: Principles of Construction (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 Operations (1 cr.).
- Application (WBL Capstone): Advanced Construction Trades with Practicum (1 cr.), leading to NCCER or AWS credentials.
District and Program Examples
TDOE approves CTE POS in ~400 high schools via districts and TCAT partners, with Architecture & Construction offered in ~250 sites through hands-on labs and NCCER-accredited programs. Partnerships with ABC Tennessee, SkillsUSA, and Flagship Industry Partners (49 employers in 2024) enhance WBL. Examples:
- Knox County Schools (e.g., Career & Technical Education Center): Construction pathway with Construction Practicum internships at local builders; serves urban/rural students; 90%+ completers earn NCCER credentials and enter apprenticeships.
- Hamilton County Schools (e.g., Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts): Building trades POS with paid WBL via Preparing Today’s Students for Tomorrow’s Tennessee pilot; dual credits with TCAT; high placement in manufacturing-linked construction.
- Rutherford County Schools (e.g., via Career Pathways Partnership): Architecture & Construction focus with employer-matched internships; partners with Murfreesboro firms for site placements; emphasizes 13.8M national jobs in cluster.
- Greeneville City Schools (e.g., Greeneville High): Devil Med Ballad Health Academy ties into construction for facilities maintenance WBL; active programs with job shadowing.
- White County High School: Building construction pathway with capstone practicums; integrates EPSO for postsecondary credits leading to paid roles.
For a full list, see the 2025-26 CTE Programs of Study Guide or Career Clusters Directory.
Additional Opportunities and Resources
- Elevate TN: Statewide platform for internships/job shadowing; connects to local employers for construction experiences.
- Tennessee Flagship Industry Partners: 49 employers (2024) facilitating paid WBL and pre-apprenticeships in construction.
- Certifications: OSHA 10, NCCER; funded via Perkins V and promoted as Recognized/Valued/Preferred tiers.
- How to Apply: Contact school CTE coordinator; WBL apps via district (fall deadlines). Use Defined Careers platform for pathway exploration; working papers required for minors.
- Outcomes: CTE concentrators graduate at 95%+ rates; construction pathways yield 85%+ postsecondary/workforce placement, with WBL credits up 18% in 2024-25.
For details, visit TDOE CTE Page or email cte@tn.gov. Tennessee’s infrastructure growth demands 10,000+ skilled construction workers annually.