Overview of Louisiana CTE Internship Programs in High Schools
The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) administers Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in high schools through the Jump Start initiative, a graduation pathway that aligns with 11 high-demand career clusters to prepare students for postsecondary education, industry credentials, or immediate workforce entry. These programs integrate academic standards with technical skills, emphasizing work-based learning (WBL) as a required 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 areas like construction technology, carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and construction management. To complete a Jump Start TOPS Tech Career Diploma and earn a CTE endorsement (e.g., on the transcript), students must:
- Complete a sequence of 9-12 CTE credits (introductory, technical, application levels), including workplace experiences.
- Earn an industry-recognized credential (e.g., OSHA 10, NCCER Level 1, AWS Welding) or complete structured WBL (e.g., 135+ hours).
- Participate in WBL, such as paid internships, cooperative education, job shadowing, or registered apprenticeships, per LDOE’s WBL Guidelines.
WBL is coordinated locally by school districts, regional teams (K-12, postsecondary, industry partners), and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS), funded via Perkins V grants (~$12M annually) and legislative allocations for internships. Available to juniors/seniors (age 16+), it prioritizes paid placements in high-demand trades, often through Jump Start Summers for stipends and credentials. Louisiana’s construction sector projects 10% growth through 2030, with entry wages ~$48,000+ amid shortages. In 2024-25, ~150,000 students enrolled in Jump Start, with completers achieving 95%+ graduation rates.
Key Internship Program: Work-Based Learning (WBL) in Architecture & Construction
The primary LDOE-approved internship mechanism is WBL, a capstone in Jump Start pathways under the Funding for Internships program (one-time legislative funding per student for costs like transportation/tools). For Construction, placements apply skills in blueprint reading, site safety, and trades at firms/sites, often via Construction Connect Scholars (a targeted application-based initiative). High-quality WBL follows the Employers’ Guide to Building Internship Programs, including training agreements and evaluations.
| Program/Course Name | Credits | Level/Grade | Description | Eligibility/Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internship in Construction Trades (e.g., Capstone via Jump Start WBL) | 1-2 (full-year) | Application/Capstone (Juniors/Seniors) | Supervised paid/unpaid placement (10-20 hours/week, min. 135-300 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. Funding covers student costs; aligns with Fast Forward apprenticeships. | Age 16+; 6+ pathway credits; teacher/coordinator recommendation; ILP alignment. Parent consent; training agreement; quarterly site visits. Paid options via stipends ($10-15/hour) or employer partners. |
| Jump Start Summers Internship in Construction | Variable (6-8 weeks) | Exploratory/Application (Grades 9-12) | Paid on-site job shadowing/internship (20-40 hours/week) with industry providers (e.g., builders, unions); emphasizes hands-on trades and credentials. Expanded to 59 providers/166 programs in 2025; earns academic credit and stipend. | High school enrollment; pathway interest; application via school coordinator (fall deadlines). Targets underrepresented students; no prior experience required. Paid at minimum wage+ with stipends. |
| Registered Apprenticeship Internship (Fast Forward Pathway) | 1-2 | Advanced (Seniors) | Structured paid apprenticeship (200+ hours) with LWC-approved contractors, combining site work and RTI; focuses on heavy equipment or masonry. Counts toward journeyman hours and dual TOPS Tech/University Diploma. | Age 16+ (18+ for hazardous); pathway enrollment; union/employer match via regional teams. Application through LDOE portal; waiver for minors in trades. Paid; leads to full apprenticeship. |
These integrate into the Construction pathway sequence (per 2025-26 Jump Start 2.0 frameworks):
- Introductory: Principles of Construction (1 cr.), OSHA 10 Safety (0.5 cr.).
- Technical (Construction Focus): Construction Technology I (1 cr.), Carpentry Fundamentals (1 cr.), Electrical Systems (1 cr.), HVAC Operations (1 cr.).
- Application (WBL Capstone): Advanced Construction Trades with Internship (2 cr.), leading to NCCER or AWS credentials.
District and Program Examples
LDOE approves Jump Start pathways in ~300 high schools via regional teams and LCTCS partners, with Architecture & Construction offered in ~150 sites through hands-on programs. Partnerships with ABC Louisiana, unions, and SkillsUSA enhance WBL. Examples:
- St. Mary Parish Schools: Jump Start Construction pathway at all high schools; internships with local builders for urban/rural trades; 85%+ completers earn credentials and enter apprenticeships.
- Iberia Parish Career Center: Architecture & Construction POS with WBL in electricity, welding, heavy equipment; partners with industry for paid co-ops; serves multiple districts.
- Lafayette Parish Schools: Construction trades focus with Jump Start Summers placements; dual enrollment via LCTCS for seamless postsecondary transition.
- Jefferson Parish (e.g., via LCTCS): Perkins-funded internships in HVAC/plumbing; Construction Connect Scholars for targeted high-demand roles.
- East Baton Rouge Parish: Fast Forward apprenticeships in construction management; regional teams match students with firms for year-round WBL.
For a full list, see the 2025-26 Jump Start Graduation Pathways.
Additional Opportunities and Resources
- Construction Connect Scholars: Application-based scholarships for WBL in construction; covers costs and guarantees placements.
- Perkins V & CDF Allocations: $1M+ for 2025-26 internship funding, including teacher training and equipment.
- Certifications: OSHA 10, NCCER; integrated into WBL and funded via grants.
- How to Apply: Contact school CTE coordinator; WBL apps via SCA portal (fall/spring). Use Louisiana Believes for resources; working papers required for minors.
- Outcomes: Jump Start concentrators have 12-point higher graduation rates; construction pathways yield 80%+ postsecondary/workforce placement.
For details, visit LDOE Jump Start Page or email jumpstart@la.gov. Louisiana’s infrastructure boom demands 15,000+ construction workers annually.