Construction Career Pathway Schools in Nebraska
Nebraska emphasizes Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in construction through the Nebraska Department of Education’s (NDE) Skilled and Technical Sciences cluster. These pathways often include certifications like NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) Core, OSHA-10/30, and opportunities for dual enrollment, apprenticeships, and work-based learning. Over 20,000 high school students participate in CTE construction programs annually, with partnerships between districts, community colleges, and industry groups like Build Our Nebraska. Programs focus on building trades, carpentry, electrical, HVAC, and construction management.
Below is a compiled list from NDE resources, district websites, and CTE directories. It’s organized by type (high school districts and community colleges) and includes key program details. This is not exhaustive; for full listings, visit NDE’s CTE page (education.ne.gov/cte) or Build Our Nebraska (buildournebraska.com).
High School Districts with Construction Pathways
These public districts offer CTE at the high school level, often with NCCER-aligned courses and dual-credit options.
| District/School | Location | Program Details |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Public Schools (The Career Academy – TCA) | Lincoln, NE | Architecture & Construction Pathway; NCCER Core, OSHA-10; Dual credit with Southeast Community College; Focus on building trades, construction management; Serves juniors/seniors with real-world experiences. |
| Omaha Public Schools (Multiple high schools, e.g., Omaha South High Magnet School) | Omaha, NE | Construction Trades Pathway; NCCER Carpentry, Electrical, OSHA-10; Work-based learning and apprenticeships; Partnerships with Metropolitan Community College for dual enrollment. |
| Scottsbluff Public Schools (Scottsbluff High School) | Scottsbluff, NE | Wall-to-Wall Career Academies including Construction; NCCER certifications, OSHA-10; Hands-on training in building trades; Integrated with all students’ education. |
| Fremont Public Schools (Fremont High School) | Fremont, NE | New CTE Center (opened fall 2024) for Trades Pathways; NCCER Core, welding, construction; Industry partnerships for apprenticeships; Focus on high-demand careers in building and infrastructure. |
| Westside Community Schools (Westside High School) | Omaha, NE | Future Ready Pathways in Skilled & Technical Sciences; NCCER-aligned construction courses, OSHA-10; Dual enrollment options; Part of six career fields including construction. |
| Papillion-La Vista Community Schools (Multiple high schools) | Papillion, NE | Construction Technology Pathway; NCCER Carpentry, OSHA-10; Work-based learning with Metropolitan Community College; Emphasizes equity and access for all students. |
| Grand Island Public Schools (Grand Island Senior High) | Grand Island, NE | Building Construction Pathway; NCCER Core, hands-on labs; Partnerships with Central Community College for dual credit. |
| Millard Public Schools (Millard North, South, West High Schools) | Omaha, NE | CTE Construction Programs; NCCER certifications, OSHA-10; Focus on building trades and engineering; Dual enrollment available. |