Career Technical Education

Why Career-Technical Education (CTE)?

The objective of a career technical class is to provide a very sophisticated training experience for the student while they are still in high school, so upon graduation they might directly enter the labor market or continue on for advanced training in the chosen career area.

Toward this end, the career technical programs have adopted the curriculum developed by the State of Michigan, which provides for training that has been identified as being necessary for each specific occupational area.

Downriver Career Technical Consortium

The Downriver Career Technical Consortium (DCTC) was founded 40 years ago as a way for three local school districts to share vocational education programs.

Over the years, the DCTC has grown and adapted to meet the ever changing needs of our evolving world. The DCTC now consists of 10 local school districts that share 24 programs.

Program Options

The following courses are offered through on-campus building programs or through DCTC:

  • Accounting

  • Agriscience

  • Architectural Drafting/CAD

  • Auto Body & Collision Repair

  • Auto Services Technology

  • Aviation Technology

  • Avionics Technology

  • Business Administration/Management

  • Cabinetry & Furniture Making

  • Construction Trades

  • Cosmetology

  • Criminal Justice

  • Culinary Arts & Hospitality

  • Cybersecurity

  • Dental Occupations

  • Digital Multimedia

  • Drafting

  • Education Occupations

  • Engineering Drafting

  • Game Design

  • Graphic Communications

  • Health Occupations

  • Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning

  • Horticulture

  • Information Technology

  • JROTC

  • Marketing

  • Manufacturing Engineering

  • CNC Technology

  • Mechatronics

  • Video Production/Digital Media

  • Web Design

  • Welding & Fabrication

Steps to participate in a CTE Program

1. Research Programs

Go to: www.dctc-cte.org

Click on: Career and Technical Education Program Information

Click on: Syllabus (for program of interest)

2. ’Shadow’ Program

A counselor will visit sophomore classes in January to discuss CTE programs. Students will have an opportunity to 'shadow' many of the DCTC programs in the spring.

Counselors will announce when it's time to sign up.

3. Interested students cannot be behind in credits.

Must have:

  • 5 Credits – December of sophomore year

  • 8 Credits – February of sophomore year

  • 11 Credits – June of junior year

4. Register for program if credit qualifications are met.

This step will occur during the student's 11th grade year.

There are limited openings in some programs.