Career and Technical Education (CTE)

We are proud to offer over 50 CTE Courses that prepare students for education and career options.  Learn more about each program with course descriptions and videos listed in the YHS Couse Catalog.  By creating a plan, you can also fulfill graduation readiness requirement by taking a sequence of courses and completes 2.0 credits in a specific CTE Graduation Pathway. 

Agriculture, food & natural resources
BUSINESS, MARKETING & Management
HEALTH SERVICES
HUMAN SERVICES
SKILLED & TECHNICAL SCIENCES

CTE Dual Credit is technical college credit earned in high school that gives students a jump start to a college education. Student completing approved technical classes while in high school can earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. In order to receive college credit students must

1. meet specific grading criteria for each class which requires a minimum of a grade each semester and
2. other technical performance competencies outlined by the college

Learn more about which CTE Dual Credit classes are offered, how to register in class, and how apply for your college transcript.

Leadership can be defined as the ability to preside, guide, or manage self, others, activities, or events with responsibility for the final outcome. CTSO programs and activities provide students the opportunity to extend what they learn in the classroom.  These activities and events are opportunities to interact in a professional environment with a diverse group of peers while learning from professionals in industries related to the curriculum. These would include various meetings, community service projects, and local, state, regional, national and international activities, conferences, and/or competitions.

Leadership skills empower each student to assume responsible roles in the family, community, business and industry environments.  Understanding and demonstrating these skills are key to success in post-secondary education, future employment opportunities, and becoming a contributing citizen in our community.

Students are encouraged to participate in the following CTSO’s offered at the middle and high schools.  Contact the advisor or officers to join the team.

An industry-recognized credential can greatly benefit a high school student by enhancing employability, potentially leading to higher-paying jobs, and offering a pathway for career advancement. It validates specific skills, may provide college credit, and opens up networking opportunities. Additionally, earning a credential can boost a student's confidence and marketability, making them stand out in a competitive job market.

There are over 40 different certifications available across the CTE courses listed in the course catalog.  Examples include:

• Basic Life Support/CPR
• Microsoft Office: Word, PPT, Excel, Outlook, Access
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
• ParaEducator Certification
• Precision Exam - variety of topics
• SP2: Auto Service Safety & Pollution
• Stihl iCADEMY

Agriculture

• Hillary Hull, Ag & FFA Advisor
  E: hillary_hull@ycs.wednet.edu
• Jordan Hummel Ag & FFA Advisor
  E: jordan_hummel@ycs.wednet.edu
• Dawn Lantz, Ag & FFA Advisor
  E: dawn_lantz@ycs.wednet.edu
• Matt Mounts, Ag & FFA Advisor
  E: matt_mounts@ycs.wednet.edu
• Dusti Nash, Ag & FFA Advisor
  E: dustina_nash@ycs.wednet.edu
• Lisa Todisco, Ag & FFA Advisor
  E: lisa_todisco@ycs.wednet.edu
• Lorraine Wikoff, Ag & FFA Advisor
  E: lorraine_wikoff@ycs.wednet.edu

Business & Marketing

• Kayte Anchors, Business & FBLA Advisor
  E: kayte_anchors@ycs.wednet.edu
• Karla Blowers, Business & FBLA Advisor
  E: karla_blowers@ycs.wednet.edu
• JoLynne Hopkins, Business & FBLA Advisor
  E: jolynne_hopkins@ycs.wednet.edu
• Randy Swilley, Marketing & DECA Advisor
  E: randy_swilley@ycs.wednet.edu
• Kristin Wolf, Business & FBLA Advisor
  E: kristin_wolf@ycs.wednet.edu

Health Sciences

• Gary Clinton, Sports Medicine/Medical Careers & WCTSMA Advisor
  E: gary_clinton@ycs.wednet.edu

Human Services

• Elianne Fisher, American Sign Language & ASL Advisor
  E: elianne_fisher@ycs.wednet.edu
• Hillary Hull, Careers in Ed, Worksite Learning & Educators Rising Advisor
  E: hillary_hull@ycs.wednet.edu

Skilled & Technical Sciences

• Jeff Burgess, Welding, Construction & SkillsUSA Advisor
  E: jeffrey_burgess@ycs.wednet.edu
• Dawn Kraves, Automotive & SkillsUSA Advisor
  E: dawn_kraves@ycs.wednet.edu

Work-based learning (WBL) activities extend the CTE classroom into the workplace, connecting acquired knowledge and skills to a student's future employment. All YHS CE Courses provide the opportunity for students to engage WBL in wide range of activities including Career Research, Job Interview/Job Shadow, Guest Speakers or Mentors, Structured Field Trip, School Based Enterprises (SBE), Internships, Ownership/Entrepreneurship, Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE), Practicums and Service-Learning Projects.

Students who participate in work-based learning may:

• Show improved academic achievement;
• Have the opportunity to explore career options;
• Increase self-confidence;
• Acquire real workplace experience and employability skills; and
• Be more likely to go on to some type of educational training after high school.

Visit the CTE Hall in the 300 building for WBL experiences, follow Yelm CTE on Facebook/Instagram  or talk with your CTE teacher.

What is Worksite Learning?

Yelm now offers a Worksite Learning Program where local businesses provide employment while students set goals and earn credit for working. 

These can also be known as paid or unpaid internships, which are professional learning experiences that offers meaningful, practical work related to a your field of study or career interest. An internship gives a student the opportunity for career exploration, skill development and networking within a chosen career field.   

There are a few requirements below to be in the Worksite Learning Program.  Connect with Mrs. Hull in Rm 333 or the CTE Office RM 305 for more information.

• Completion of 1.0 CTE credits connected to job
• Employer willing to participate
• Must be a legal place of employment
• 180 hours of paid work = .5 credit
• Quarterly job evaluations
• Meet with CTE Teacher once a week
• Submit work hours documentation

Thank you to our CTE Advisory Members and Graduate Yelm! Partners who participated in our "ZOOM into a CAREER" series of interviews designed to introduce students to a culture of high achievement. Watch videos from local professional talk about their journey leading to opportunity and employment.