Overview of Georgia CTE Internship Programs in High Schools
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) oversees Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs in high schools, structured around 17 career clusters to prepare students for postsecondary education, apprenticeships, or direct 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 the built environment, with pathways such as Construction (emphasizing trades like carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing), Cabinetmaking, and Welding. To qualify as a pathway completer (earning a CTE endorsement on the transcript), students must:
- Complete a three-course sequence (introductory, technical, and advanced levels, totaling 3 credits).
- Earn an industry-recognized credential (e.g., OSHA 10, NCCER Level 1, AWS Welding Certification) or a structured WBL experience.
- Participate in WBL, which includes internships, cooperative education, job shadowing, or youth apprenticeships, per Georgia Code § 20-2-161.2.
WBL is coordinated locally by school districts in partnership with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and employers, funded via Perkins V grants. It’s available to juniors/seniors (age 16+), often paid, and counts as elective credit (e.g., 1 credit for 135+ hours). Construction pathways are high-demand, with 10%+ job growth projected through 2030 and entry wages averaging $45,000+. In 2023-2024, over 710,000 students participated in CTAE, with completers showing 97.8% graduation rates.
Key Internship Program: Work-Based Learning (WBL) in Architecture & Construction
The primary GaDOE-approved internship mechanism is WBL, a capstone program placing students in paid/unpaid roles aligned to their pathway. For Construction, placements involve hands-on trades, site safety, blueprint reading, and project management at firms or sites. It’s integrated into the pathway and required for completers in many districts.
| Program/Course Name | Credits | Level/Grade | Description | Eligibility/Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work-Based Learning in Construction (e.g., Course #48.0501, Capstone) | 1-2 (full-year) | Capstone (Juniors/Seniors) | Supervised paid/unpaid internship (10-20 hours/week, min. 135 hours) at construction sites or firms, applying skills in carpentry, welding, or electrical under mentor supervision. Includes employability training, reflective assessments, employer evaluations, and soft skills development. Leads to pre-apprenticeship hours or NCCER credential. | Age 16+; 2+ pathway credits; teacher/coordinator recommendation; career interest match. Parent consent; aligns with GaDOE WBL guidelines (e.g., on-site evaluations, remediation). Paid options common ($10-15/hour). |
| Internship in Construction Trades (District Variation, e.g., Forsyth County) | 0.5-1 | Application (Seniors) | Part-time placement (15+ hours/week) focusing on sustainable building or cabinetmaking; culminates in portfolio and industry certification. Often via TCSG dual enrollment. | Pathway enrollment; good attendance/discipline; employer partnership required. Counts toward CTE completer status. |
| Youth Apprenticeship in Construction (Statewide via TCSG Partners) | Variable (School-Year/Summer) | Advanced (Juniors/Seniors) | Paid apprenticeship-style internship (up to 40 hours/week) with contractors, earning hours toward journeyman status. Includes RTI (related technical instruction) at TCSG. | Age 16+; Construction pathway; application via school coordinator. Focuses on high-demand trades; partners like C.W. Matthews for highway construction. |
These fit into the Construction pathway sequence (per 2025-26 GaDOE frameworks):
- Introductory: Basic Construction Skills (1 cr.), OSHA 10 Safety (0.5 cr.).
- Technical (Construction Focus): Carpentry I (1 cr.), Electrical Fundamentals (1 cr.), HVAC Systems (1 cr.), Welding I (1 cr.).
- Advanced (WBL Capstone): Advanced Construction Trades with Internship (1 cr.), leading to NCCER or AWS credentials.
District and Program Examples
GaDOE approves CTAE pathways in over 400 high schools, with Architecture & Construction offered in ~250 districts. Implementation varies, often partnering with SkillsUSA, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Georgia, and TCSG for dual enrollment/internships. Examples:
- Forsyth County Schools (e.g., East Forsyth High School): Construction/Carpentry pathway with WBL placements at local builders; requires defined pathway; 90%+ completers enter apprenticeships/employment.
- Gwinnett County Public Schools: Pathways at 20+ high schools (e.g., Lanier HS); WBL via business partners like State Farm for design/construction; includes academies with dedicated coordinators.
- Paulding County Schools: Construction trades focus with capstone internships; partners with TCSG for certifications; emphasizes hands-on labs leading to WBL.
- Lowndes County Schools (Lowndes High School): WBL program places ~50 students annually in construction roles; first-semester interns earned $134,790 in wages, accruing 16,000+ hours.
- Clayton County Public Schools: Multiple pathways with WBL; integrates with Georgia Career Pipeline Tool for employer matching.
For a full list, see the GaDOE Career Clusters and Pathways or 2025-26 Approved Pathways by District.
Additional Opportunities and Resources
- TCSG Dual Enrollment/Accelerated Pathways: High school students earn TCCs in construction trades, leading to paid internships (e.g., via Georgia College & Career Academy model).
- High Demand Career Initiative: Extra CCRPI credit for completers in construction; includes apprenticeships.
- Certifications: OSHA, NCCER, AWS; funded via CTAE grants.
- How to Apply: Contact school CTAE coordinator; applications open fall (e.g., via Georgia WBL Site). Working papers required for minors.
- Outcomes: CTAE concentrators have 12-point higher graduation rates; construction pathways yield 85%+ postsecondary/workforce placement.
For details, visit GaDOE CTAE Page or email ctae@gadoe.org. Georgia’s construction sector needs 20,000+ workers annually, fueling program expansion.