Overview of Washington State CTE Internship Programs in High Schools

The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) 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 OSPI’s CTE Program Standards and the Career Connect Washington (CCW) initiative. The Architecture & Construction career cluster focuses on designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining structures, with pathways in areas like construction management, carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and drafting. To complete a pathway and earn a CTE endorsement (e.g., on the transcript, qualifying for the CTE Sequence Graduation Pathway), students must:

Complete a sequence of at least two CTE credits (introductory, technical, application levels) in the same program of study.
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, job shadowing, or apprenticeships, aligned with the student’s High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP).

WBL is coordinated locally by school districts, often through CCW coordinators, funded via Perkins V grants (~$15M annually) and state allocations for CCW (e.g., $10M+ for 2025-26 expansions). Available to juniors/seniors (age 16+), it prioritizes paid/unpaid placements in high-demand trades, with CCW programs like Career Prep (intensive internships) and Career Launch (apprenticeship-style). Washington’s construction sector projects 9% growth through 2030, with entry wages ~$50,000+ amid shortages; in 2024-25, ~150,000 students enrolled in CTE, with completers achieving 95%+ graduation rates.

Key Internship Program: Work-Based Learning (WBL) in Architecture & Construction

OSPI’s primary internship mechanism is WBL, integrated into CTE pathways via the CCW framework, which scales high-quality experiences statewide. 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 dual credits with community colleges. WBL requires a training agreement, mentor supervision, and evaluations; it counts toward pathway completion if 100+ hours and aligns with CTSOs like SkillsUSA. CCW’s Career Prep programs explicitly include summer internships and apprenticeship prep for construction trades.

Program/Course Name	Credits	Level/Grade	Description	Eligibility/Requirements
Work-Based Learning Internship in Construction (CCW Career Prep Capstone)	0.5-1 (semester/full-year)	Application/Capstone (Juniors/Seniors)	Supervised paid/unpaid placement (10-20 hours/week, min. 100 hours) at construction sites/firms, focusing on carpentry, HVAC, or project management. Includes mentor supervision, reflective assessments, employer evaluations, and portfolio development; leads to OSHA 10/NCCER credentials. Integrates SkillsUSA and CCW summer internships for hands-on trades.	Age 16+; 1+ pathway credits; teacher/coordinator recommendation; training agreement per OSPI WBL guidelines. Parent consent; quarterly site visits. Paid options via CCW grants ($12-18/hour).
Career Launch Apprenticeship in Building Trades (CCW Advanced)	1-2	Advanced (Seniors)	Paid apprenticeship-style internship (200+ hours) with DOL-registered contractors, combining site work and RTI; emphasizes sustainable construction. Culminates in pre-apprenticeship hours and IRC.	Senior status; pathway enrollment; HSBP alignment; employer match via CCW coordinator. WBL coordinator required; hazardous work waiver for 16+. Paid at minimum wage+.
Summer Internship in Construction (CCW Career Prep)	Variable (6-8 weeks)	Exploratory/Application (Juniors/Seniors)	Paid hands-on summer roles (20-40 hours/week) with industry partners (e.g., builders, unions); focuses on site prep and employability skills. Transitions to year-round WBL.	High school enrollment in CTE pathway; application via school coordinator (spring deadlines). Targets underrepresented students; no prior experience required. Paid stipends via Perkins V.

These integrate into the pathway sequence (per OSPI 2025-26 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 Trades (1 cr.), Drafting and Design (1 cr.).
Application (WBL Capstone): Advanced Construction Trades with Internship (1 cr.), leading to NCCER credentials.

District and Program Examples

OSPI approves CTE pathways in ~400 high schools via districts and skills centers, with Architecture & Construction offered in ~200 sites through hands-on programs. Partnerships with community colleges, ABC Washington, and SkillsUSA enhance WBL. Examples:

Seattle Public Schools (e.g., Ingraham High School): Construction management pathway with CCW Career Prep internships at local firms; serves urban students with NCCER training; 85%+ completers enter apprenticeships.
Highline Public Schools (e.g., Highline High School): Building trades POS with paid summer WBL via CCW; dual credits with South Seattle College; high equity focus for diverse populations.
Spokane Public Schools (e.g., Ferris High School): Carpentry/electrical focus with Career Launch apprenticeships; partners with industry for rural/urban trades; 90% workforce placement.
Tacoma Public Schools: Architecture & Construction cluster with CCW internships in sustainable building; aligns with SkillsUSA for competitions.
Everett School District: Drafting/construction pathway with pre-apprenticeship WBL; regional CCW hub for northern Washington.

For a full list, see the OSPI Approved Local CTE Pathways (November 2025) or CCW Program Directory.

Additional Opportunities and Resources

Career Connect Washington (CCW): Statewide coalition expanding WBL; includes grants for construction internships and apprenticeship prep.
Perkins V Grants: Funds WBL coordination, employer incentives, and credentials.
Certifications: OSHA 10, NCCER; integrated into WBL and funded via OSPI.
How to Apply: Contact school CTE coordinator or CCW liaison; WBL apps via district (fall/spring). Use SchooLinks for HSBP planning; working papers required for minors.
Outcomes: CTE concentrators graduate at 95%+ rates; construction pathways yield 85%+ postsecondary/workforce placement.

For details, visit OSPI CTE Page or email cte@ospi.k12.wa.us. Washington’s infrastructure needs drive 15,000+ annual construction openings.