Career and Technical Education
Career and Technical Education (CTE) prepares students for a wide range of careers. These careers require varying levels of education—from high school and postsecondary certificates to two- and four-year college degrees. CTE covers a variety of challenging fields that are constantly evolving due to the changing global economy.
Our Mission
In the Tolleson Union High School District, CTE helps students make the connection between education, employment, and the economy.
Our Vision
CTE, focusing on the future, today!
To see more pictures of how TUHSD students focus on the future, today, click on the photo below!
Focusing on the Future Today
CTE educators constantly review and update their programs, courses, and curriculum to reflect alignment to current business and industry standards and rigorous Arizona academic standards to prepare our students to meet the demands of our changing economy and workforce. CTE classes develop the skills most sought after by employers. These skills include: 
- Strong academic and critical thinking skills
- Strong technical skills in the field they choose to work in
- Employability skills of teamwork, communication, and effective work habits.
In TUHSD we follow the Career and Technical Education Total Delivery Model by incorporating daily through academic integration and community involvement.
- Classroom instruction aligned to the Arizona College & Career Ready Standards, Program Technical Skills, Workforce Employable Skills
- Hands-on instruction and laboratory settings to apply content and practices learned
- Career-based learning through internships upon completion of program sequence
- Leadership development through Career and Technical Student Organizations
TUHSD CTE Program Offerings
Business & Marketing
- Business Operations: data entry, management, filing, records management, entrepreneurship
- Fashion Design and Merchandising (SLHS, WHS): fashion designer, costume designer, merchandiser, graphic artist, pattern maker, accessory designer, fashion illustrator, technical designer, sample maker, shoe designer, product designer, trend forecaster, fashion journalist, showroom manager, display coordinator, retail manager, textile designer, apparel buyer, fashion planner, production planner
- Finance: finance, banking, real estate, bookkeeping, accounting, insurance, economist, analyst
- Graphic Design: advertising and graphic artist, logo designer, marketing and promotions director, social media specialist
- Marketing: business owner, advertising, public relations, brand management, media director, communications
Contact your counselor today for more information regarding offerings in CTE at your specific high school.
Communication & Information Systems
- Digital Communications; photographer, graphic designer, newscaster, photo journalist, writer/author/editor, producer, radio/news editor
- Digital PhotographyDE; studio photographer, magazine photographer or editor, fashion/editorial photographer, food photographer/stylist, commercial photographer, image processor or re-toucher, photo journalist
- Music & Audio ProductionDE (SLHS); acoustical consultant, broadcast engineer, recording engineer, soundtrack mixer, video game audio engineer
- Software & App DesignDE; computer programmer/coder, hardware/software support, software engineer, systems manager, web page design/management, coding
Contact your counselor today for more information regarding offerings in CTE at your specific high school.
Health Services
- Bioscience (SLHS); scientist, laboratory assistant, medical researcher, biomedical engineer, geneticist
- Medical Assisting ServicesDE; medical assistant, medical office assistant, patient prep, insurance, medical coding/billing, x-ray technician, phlebotomist, nurse assistant, nurse
- Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation ServicesDE; athletic trainer, personal trainer, physical therapist, physical therapist technician/assistant, physical assistant, chiropractor assistant technician, chiropractor, massage therapist, nurse, physician
Contact your counselor today for more information regarding offerings in CTE at your specific high school.
Human Services & Resources
- Culinary Arts; apprentice chef, pastry chef, personal chef, prep cook, executive chef, food & beverage handler, nutritionist, recipe developer & taster, food critic, restaurant publicist, good stager, food service manager, dietetic technician, gastronomist
- Early Childhood Education (SLHS, WHS); childcare or nursery worker/director, preschool teacher, elementary school teacher, nanny, social worker
- Ed Professions; elementary/high school teacher, principal, professor, counselor, speech pathologist
- Law & Public Safety (WPHS): investigation and security service, intelligence analyst, loss prevention manager, protection officer, asset protection specialist
- Marine Corps Junior ROTC (TUHS, WHS): officer or enlisted service, infantry, linguist, logistics, navigation communications, public affairs
Contact your counselor today for more information regarding offerings in CTE at your specific high school.
Industrial Manufacturing & Engineering
- Automotive Technology (TUHS); automotive maintenance/repair, automotive engineer
- Engineering (WPHS); aeronautical engineer, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, industrial engineer, civil engineer
- Welding Technologies (WHS); welder, solder, metal cutter, welding engineer, construction welder, plumber, ironworker, pipe fitter, metal engineer, metallurgist
Contact your counselor today for more information regarding offerings in CTE at your specific high school.
West-MEC
Thanks to the immense support of voters in our district who, in the fall of 2012, elected to have TUHSD join the Joint Technical Education District, Western Maricopa Education Center (also known as West-MEC). West-MEC provides students who attend schools in its member districts with career-driven educational opportunities they may not have at their home school. While continuing to attend school in TUHSD, students who are accepted into West-MEC central programs may be eligible to take coursework leading to college credit and industry certifications in the following: avionics/electronics, climate control technician services, coding, cosmetology, EMT, energy and industrial technology, services, medium heavy diesel technology, pharmacy technician, precision manufacturing, veterinary sciences, and welding technology.
Contact your school's West-MEC representative in the guidance department for more information or visit West-MEC's website for program and application information.
Career & Technical Student Organizations
Notice of Nondiscrimination in CTE Programs: TUHSD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability in its CTE programs, services, or activities as required by the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended; The Age of Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended.
