Career and Technical Education Skill Centers:
Describing Programs, Students, and Student Outcomes
Background
Career and technical education skill centers are regional secondary schools providing hands-on learning across a range of education content areas (e.g., Architecture &
Construction, Health Science). Washington has 17 centers located across the state.
Findings
Access: Students in districts without access are evenly split across rural and urban locales. At the district level, districts with skill center access have larger enrollments, higher
median incomes, and lower poverty rates relative to districts with no access. Across geographic locale and content areas, skill center directors reported that enrollment demand exceeds
availability for a majority of skill center programs. About 3% of high school students enrolled in a skill center in AY 2023.
Student outcomes:
Across the 2013 through 2023 graduation cohorts, most skill center students (80%) earned a high school diploma. Less than 40% have earned a post-secondary credential five years after graduation, but nearly 70% are employed over that time frame. Only 10% of skill center students are not in education or employment five years after graduation.
@spokanevalleytechstem
Skills Center Enrollment:
About 7,000 students attend Washington Skills Centers from high schools in approximately 85 school districts annually.
Students Attend Skills Centers to:
Get a head-start on higher education
Develop work and maturity skills
Earn entry-level occupation competencies and/or industry certifications
Gain leadership skills
Learn more about a skills center near you!
WSSCA
August 26, 2025
Every day counts when it comes to learning. When students attend school regularly, they build knowledge step by step, gaining the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Even missing a few days can make it harder to catch up, and small gaps in learning can quickly grow into larger challenges.
Senior Sunrise is Friday am. The first of all the senior events. 🌅 Spokane Valley Tech!
⬇️ see below
Tomorrow, September 3rd, is the first day of the 2025-2026 school year! We are so excited to get this year started with you all.
Please check out our website for information about class schedules, transportation and all things Skills Center!
CBTECH
On time, everyday, with a positive attitude
CBTECH Director’s Message
Leticia Gonzalez • 9 days ago • Tuesday, Aug 26 at 11:33 AM • CBTECH
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year at CBTECH!
This is going to be our most exciting year yet. If you’re one of the students who got accepted into CBTECH and you’re ready to make a real change for your future, we’re ready to meet you.
CBTECH isn’t just a place to pick up skills—it’s a place to grow. You’ll learn how to adapt, set goals, work as a team, and handle challenges along the way. We’ll work hard together, but we’ll also celebrate and have fun along the journey.
We’re a work-ethic school, which means we’ll get you ready not just to land that first job, but to keep it and keep moving up in whatever career path you choose.
All you really need to bring with you is a positive attitude and a willingness to learn—we’ll take it from there.
See you all Wednesday, August 27, as we kick off a brand-new beginning!
Christine Armstrong
CBTECH Director
@NewMarketSkillsCenter
We hope you all had an amazing summer, we’re excited to kick off a new year!
We would love for you to tag us in your first day photos as you arrive on Monday 📱 📸
See you all Monday!
💫The Benefits to Completing a Skills Center Program💫
Students who receive training at a Skills Centers can expect to:
✅Prepare for entry-level job placement with workplace readiness skills, industry needed soft skills, leadership knowledge, and technical knowledge
✅Prepare for college entry through rigorous, hands-on learning
✅Earn equivalency and cross-credit for some courses; providing credit in both career and technical education and basic education subject areas
✅Meet graduation requirements
✅ Earn up to 3+ high school credits in a full-year program (up to 6 credits over two full years)
✅ Learn from teachers/partners who come from business and industry
✅ Receive information on career and post-secondary opportunities
✅ Participate in internships, pre-apprenticeships, and worksite learning
✅ Develop a personal career portfolio
✅ Participate in a wide range of leadership activities/programs
✅ Receive certificates of competency
✅ Make the transition from school to work and/or post-secondary education
✅ Receive advanced placement and/or college credit through Tech Prep programs
❓Who else benefits ❓
🌟Not only does the student gain the necessary industry skills, workplace readiness skills and college entry preparedness, industry, community, and colleges also benefit from this experience as well.
🌟Students that complete a skills center program enter the workplace ready and able to meet industry expectations. A student that chooses to enter post-secondary education programs come more prepared for the expectations set forth.
Students may earn a variety of workplace certifications including:
✅ A+ Certified (Comptia)
✅ ASE – Automotive Service Excellence
✅ AWS – American Welding Society
✅ CISCO – Computer Networking
✅ NAC – Nursing Assistant Certified
✅ I-CAR
✅ Microsoft MCP
✅ Oracle Internet Academy
✅ DigiPen
✅ Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS)
✅ Net+, I-Net+ (Comptia)
✅ ACCESS-American Culinary Federation
✅ Pro-Start – National Restaurant Association
✅ State Licensing
https://www.washingtonskillscenters.org/page/overview
We’re excited to share the newly launched TeachWelding.org website!
This is a hub designed to support welding educators, students, and industry partners.
Here, you’ll find resources, teaching tools, and connections to help grow the next generation of skilled welders.
👉Educators if you would like a Welding Pathway Map created specifically for your schools welding program reach out today!
They are also asking for photos to share! If you have photos 📸 of your students in action please share them!
https://www.teachwelding.org/contact-us
👉 Explore the site, check out the new features, and see how TeachWelding.org can support your classroom and career pathway. This site is NEW and still under construction so be sure to check in periodically to see whats changing.
Visit us at www.TeachWelding.org and let's spark the future of welding together! ⚡️👩🏽🏭🔥👨🏿🏭🔥👨🏼🏭⚡️
#TeachWelding #WeldingEducation #SkilledTrades #futureready
https://www.teachwelding.org/
Today we celebrate the contributions of workers across every industry—and recognize our Skills Center students who are building the knowledge and hands-on experience to become the workforce of tomorrow. 💼🔧⚓️🍳👷👩⚕️👨🏿🏭👨🍳
Your hard work in the classroom and lab is preparing you for meaningful, in-demand careers. Keep striving, keep learning, and keep building your future! 🌟
#LaborDay #FutureReady #SkillsForSuccess #CareerPathways #WSSCA #CareerReady #salutingourworkforce
Courses managed by WANIC (programs at DigiPen and Lake Washington Institute of Technology) generally follow the Lake Washington School District academic calendar. There are two different calendars, please familiarize yourself with the calendar according to the class the student is enrolled.
