In an era where career readiness is paramount, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs serve as pathways that guide students toward acquiring practical skills and achieving success in their chosen professions. It is important to us that our students receive the educational opportunities they need to become the industry leaders of the future. That’s why Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD) offers a wide variety of CTE programs. In these high school programs, students have the opportunity to earn industry certificates and participate in internships or job shadowing. An additional benefit of participating in CTE programs is that many of them offer dual enrollment opportunities that support students in continuing their education tailored to their field of interest.
One integral component of QCUSD's CTE program is workplace learning, where students actively engage in hands-on, lab experiences on campus and in the workplace. These experiences are tailored to the specific requirements of each program. For instance, the Nursing Services program offers students a dedicated lab environment in which they can practice and refine their skills. In addition, second year nursing students attend clinical rotations at local nursing facilities. These experiences prepare students for the Certified Nursing Assistant exam that occurs at the end of the year.
Another example of workplace learning occurs within the Marketing program. Marketing students operate a student store within Queen Creek High School, where they learn marketing and business principles within a real campus store. Under the guidance of their marketing teacher, they manage the store, handling tasks that range from marketing and designing spirit gear to store sales and inventory.
Furthermore, students enrolled in CTE programs have the unique opportunity to participate in student CTE organizations, allowing them to not only compete at the state level, but also on a national stage. QCUSD students have held prestigious state and national offices within these organizations, working among industry leaders to create and implement experiences that will better prepare students for the workforce. Overall, these experiences demonstrate the district's commitment to preparing students for future careers and leadership opportunities.
QCUSD is proud of our strong connections with businesses. Our schools work closely with experts in different business and industry fields to ensure students learn the latest industry knowledge. This collaboration helps students obtain certifications, scholarships and real-world experience before they finish high school.
Last year alone, QCUSD students achieved an impressive milestone, receiving a total of 571 industry certificates—a tangible reflection of the district's commitment to preparing students for successful futures. These industry certifications support our students in being immediately employable in entry-level positions while still attending high school.
QCUSD is intentional about career readiness and we work hard to prepare students for their future. Our goal is to help each student realize their passion and correlate this with a career as they prepare to make post-secondary plans.
Dr. Perry Berry has been superintendent of the Queen Creek Unified School District since June 2015.
