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.

TUHSD logo and CTE logo
Seven students representing multiple professions

What is West-MEC?

Thank you 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 with career-driven educational opportunities that may not be available on their home campus. Students attending TUHSD and who are accepted into West-MEC central programs may be eligible to take coursework leading to
college credit and industry certifications in: 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.

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 Total Program Delivery Model - Academic Integration & Community Involvement
Total Program Delivery Model Description

Classroom Instruction

  • Program Technical Skills/Standards-Based
  • Integration of Core Standards
  • Aligned to Industry
  • Content & Theory

Application Learning

  • Application through Simulation
  • Hands-on Learning
  • Laboratory Settings Training

Leadership Capacity

  • Character Development
  • Community Partnerships
  • Teamwork
  • Student Organizations

Career Literacy

  • Connecting School to Career
  • Internship Opportunities
  • Workplace Employability Skills
  • Work-Based Learning & Career Development

TUHSD CTE Career Program Offerings

Business & Marketing

Business Operations: Jobs include data entry, management, filing, records management, and entrepreneurship.

Schools offering this program include:

Fashion Design student next to mannequinsFashion Design and Merchandising: Jobs include 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, and production planner.

Schools offering this program include:

Finance: Jobs include finance, banking, real estate, bookkeeping, accounting, insurance, economist, and analyst.

This program is offered at La Joya High School

Graphic Design: Jobs include advertising and graphic artist, logo designer, marketing and promotions director, social media specialist

Schools offering this program: TBA

Group of students under Cronkite News signageMarketing: Jobs include business owner, advertising, public relations, brand management, media director, communications.

This program is offered at:

Communication & Information Systems

Digital Communication; Jobs include photographer, graphic designer, newscaster, photojournalist, writer/author/editor, producer, and radio/news editor.

Schools that offer this program include:

Group of students outside on a hiking trailDigital Photography Jobs include studio photographer, magazine photographer or editor, fashion/editorial photographer, food photographer/stylist, commercial photographer, image processor or re-toucher, and photojournalist.

Schools that offer this program include:

Music & Audio Production Jobs include acoustical consultant, broadcast engineer, recording engineer, soundtrack mixer, and video game audio engineer.

Our schools offering this program: TBA

Software & App Design Jobs include computer programmer/coder, hardware/software support, software engineer, systems manager, web page design/management, coding.

Schools offering this program include:

Health Services

Medical Assisting Services Jobs include medical assistant, medical office assistant, patient prep, insurance, medical coding/billing, x-ray technician, phlebotomist, nurse assistant, and nurse.

Schools that offer this program include:

Students wearing pint t-shirts in health classSports Medicine & Rehabilitation Services Jobs include athletic trainer, personal trainer, physical therapist, physical therapist technician/assistant, physical assistant, chiropractor assistant technician, chiropractor, massage therapist, nurse, physician.

Schools that offer this program include:

Human Services & Resources

Culinary student making cinnamon rollsCulinary Arts; Jobs include 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, and gastronomist.

Schools that offer this program include:

Group of student under a colorful paintingEarly Childhood Education Jobs include childcare or nursery worker/director, preschool teacher, elementary school teacher, nanny, and social worker.

Schools that offer this program include:

Ed Professions; Jobs include elementary/high school teacher, principal, professor, counselor, and speech pathologist.

Schools that offer this program include:

Law & Public Safety/Criminal Justice Jobs include investigation and security service, intelligence analyst, loss prevention manager, protection officer, asset protection specialist.

Schools that offer this program include:

Marine Corps Jr. ROTC students in uniform lined up outsideMarine Corps Junior ROTC Jobs include officer or enlisted service, infantry, linguist, logistics, navigation communications, public affairs.

Schools that offer this program include:

Industrial Manufacturing & Engineering

Two students working on an engineAutomotive Technology Jobs include automotive maintenance/repair, and automotive engineer.

This program is offered at Tolleson Union High School

Engineering Jobs include aeronautical engineer, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, industrial engineer, and civil engineer.

Schools that offer this program include:

Welding Technologies Jobs include welder, solder, metal cutter, welding engineer, construction welder, plumber, ironworker, pipe fitter, metal engineer, and metallurgist.

This program is offered at Westview High School

Career & Technical Student Organizations

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!

Career & Technical Education Department Staff

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AZ Department of Education CTE Credentials:
CTE Industry Credentials | Arizona Department of Education (azed.gov)

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.