Overview of Nevada CTE Internship Programs in High Schools
The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) oversees Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in high schools, aligned with 16 national career clusters to integrate academic, technical, and employability skills for postsecondary education, industry credentials, or workforce entry. These programs emphasize work-based learning (WBL) as a capstone for pathway completion, per the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 389.800. The Architecture & Construction career cluster (CIP Code: 46.0000) focuses on designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment, with pathways in areas like building trades in construction technology, electrical systems, HVAC, plumbing, and cabinetmaking. To complete a pathway and earn a CTE endorsement (e.g., Certificate of Skill Attainment on the transcript), students must:
- Complete a sequence of at least three CTE courses (introductory, technical, application levels, totaling 3 credits).
- Earn an industry-recognized credential (e.g., OSHA 10, NCCER Level 1) or complete structured WBL (e.g., 100+ hours).
- Participate in WBL, such as internships or job shadowing, integrated into the Employability Skills for Career Readiness standards.
WBL is coordinated locally by school districts (e.g., Clark County School District – CCSD) and career centers, funded via Perkins V grants (~$15M annually). Available to juniors/seniors (age 16+), it often includes paid/unpaid placements through partnerships with community colleges like College of Southern Nevada (CSN) for dual credits. Nevada’s construction sector projects 12% growth through 2030, with entry wages ~$50,000+ amid shortages; in 2024-25, ~77,000 high school students enrolled in CTE, with completers achieving 95%+ graduation rates and 85% postsecondary/workforce placement.
Key Internship Program: CTE Work Experience in Architecture & Construction
NDE’s primary internship mechanism is the CTE Work Experience course, a capstone for pathways under the 2025-26 CTE Course Catalog. For Construction, it involves supervised placements applying skills like blueprint reading, site safety, and trades at firms/sites, often leading to pre-apprenticeship hours or CSN dual credits. WBL requires a training agreement, mentor supervision, and evaluations; it counts toward pathway completion and can be repeated for credit.
| Program/Course Name | Credits | Level/Grade | Description | Eligibility/Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTE Work Experience – Architecture & Construction (Course # Various, e.g., 48004) | 0.5-2 (semester/full-year) | Application/Capstone (Juniors/Seniors) | Supervised paid/unpaid placement (10-20 hours/week, min. 100 hours) at construction sites/firms, focusing on building trades like carpentry or HVAC. Includes mentor supervision, reflective assessments, employer evaluations, and portfolio development; integrates CTSOs like SkillsUSA. Leads to OSHA 10/NCCER credentials. | Age 16+; completion of Level 2 pathway course; teacher recommendation; training agreement. Parent consent; quarterly site visits. Paid options via employer partners ($10-15/hour). |
| Advanced Study in Building Trades in Construction Technology (Capstone Variation) | 1 | Capstone (Seniors) | Independent/team-based research with WBL (e.g., internships/job shadowing); culminates in capstone project or school-based enterprise. Emphasizes advanced trades and sustainable practices. | Senior status; full pathway sequence; ILP alignment. WBL coordinator required; repeatable for credit. Unpaid/paid; transportation student responsibility. |
| Internship via CSN Dual Credit (Construction Focus) | Variable (School-Year/Summer) | Advanced (Juniors/Seniors) | Paid/unpaid co-op (15+ hours/week) with CSN-articulated programs; applies skills in electrical/plumbing; earns free college credits upon 3.0+ GPA and credential. | Age 16+; enrolled in approved CTE sequence; application via school coordinator. Targets underrepresented students; aligns with NDE restructuring for access. Paid at minimum wage+. |
These integrate into the pathway sequence (per 2025-26 NDE CTE Course Catalog):
- Introductory: Principles of Construction (1 cr.), OSHA 10 Safety (0.5 cr.).
- Technical (Construction Focus): Construction Technology I (1 cr.), Building Trades (1 cr.), Electrical Systems (1 cr.), HVAC Fundamentals (1 cr.).
- Application (WBL Capstone): CTE Work Experience with Internship (1-2 cr.), leading to NCCER or AWS credentials.
District and Program Examples
NDE approves CTE pathways in ~120 public high schools via districts like CCSD, with Architecture & Construction offered in ~50 sites through hands-on programs. Partnerships with CSN, ABC Nevada, and SkillsUSA enhance WBL. Examples:
- Clark County School District (CCSD, e.g., Central Technical Training Academy): Building Trades pathway with WBL internships in advanced manufacturing/construction; tours/facility visits (e.g., Forté Specialty Construction); 90%+ completers earn credentials and enter apprenticeships.
- Carson City School District (Carson High School): Construction POS with paid internships via OWINN partnerships; 15 programs across clusters, including WBL for high-demand trades; focuses on northern Nevada workforce.
- Washoe County School District (e.g., McQueen High School): Architecture & Construction sequence with co-ops at local firms; dual enrollment for CSN credits; high placement in urban infrastructure roles.
- Mineral County School District (Mineral County High School): Hands-on construction tech with job shadowing; rural focus on practical trades like equipment maintenance.
- Great Basin College Partners (e.g., Elko High School): CTE College Credit in construction; free credits for completers, leading to paid summer internships.
For a full list, see the 2025-26 NDE CTE Course Catalog or Interactive Program Directory.
Additional Opportunities and Resources
- CTE College Credit Program: Free CSN credits for pathway completers (3.0+ GPA); over 30 programs, including construction, for sophomore+ students.
- Perkins V Grants: Funds WBL expansion, employer incentives, and credentials.
- Certifications: OSHA 10, NCCER; integrated into WBL and funded via NDE.
- How to Apply: Contact school CTE coordinator; WBL apps via district (fall deadlines). Use NDE’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP) for planning; working papers required for minors.
- Outcomes: CTE concentrators have 95%+ graduation rates; construction pathways yield 85%+ postsecondary/workforce placement, addressing 20,000+ annual openings.
For details, visit NDE CTE Page or email cteinfo@doe.nv.gov. Nevada’s booming construction (e.g., infrastructure/housing) drives demand for skilled talent.