Career and College Readiness

When students engage in Meaningful Career Conversations (MCC) with parents, teachers, and school counselors, they begin to understand how their unique aptitudes, skills, talents, self-identity, and values influence the decision-making process for life-long learning.  Check out the video links below to learn how to start Meaningful Career Conversations.

Meaningful Career Conversations - Elementary

Meaningful Career Conversations - Middle School

A Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway is a series of courses that provide students with the academic, technical, and real-world knowledge. The skills and experience  learned prepares students for the workforce.

CTE classes vary per high school. 

For more information on the Widefield CTE program and programs offered at the high schools click here.

Please visit the high school website to for more information on their academic programs.  

Mesa Ridge High School

Widefield High School

To review the 2024-2025 CTE programs at each high school, click on the image below.

The Colorado Career Cluster Model was developed by the Career and Technical Education segment of the Colorado Community College System.  It offers students a way to think about, plan and relate their current academic experience to the future with a pathway to meaningful careers and opportunities beyond graduation. 

The Career Cluster Model can be used to help students find and explore career passions as they develop an academic plan for high school and identify further opportunities beyond high school.

The innovative Colorado Career Advising Tool is designed to support meaningful career conversations and the personal journeys through self-discovery.  The shared goal between the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Education Initiative is to empower career advisors, families, and learners of all ages from middle school to adulthood.

The Colorado Career Advising Tool is user-friendly seven-minute assessment that provides valuable insights into a person’s strengths, their natural, behavioral, and communication styles to understand their motivations and unique ways to reflect on which jobs, companies, and cultures align with best self.   Once individuals have a clear understanding of themselves they can explore career options that align with their strengths and preferences.

Take the Colorado Career Advising Tool seven-minute assessment to  discover more about yourself.

What is Work-Based Learning?

Work-Based Learning (WBL) is the bridge between K-12 educational practices and the application of post-secondary workforce readiness skills. It is learning about work, learning through work, and learning at work.

How is the Widefield District involved?

Widefield School District 3 (WSD3) will be utilizing the Colorado Work-Based Learning Continuum to increase opportunities for our students so that when they graduate from high school they are prepared for high wage, high skill jobs, and careers.

There are many WBL activities that will supplement our academic content areas and provide students an opportunity to explore careers, learn more deeply about specific jobs or occupations, receive training and resume enhancements, and earn industry-recognized certificates in a career of interest.

How does WBL work?

As the new WBL coordinator, Kathleen Mena will be collaborating with our Career Technical Education (CTE) teachers to create a framework for post workforce readiness. Each student enrolled in our CTE classes will discover their skills, interests, talents, and aptitudes so they are equipped to make pathway choices for future success. In partnership with the Pikes Peak Business Education Association (PPBEA) Marketplace, students and teachers will be empowered to create an account, search for opportunities, and complete WBL experiences.

High Demand Occupations in the Region

• Nursing and related healthcare occupations

• Information technology, computer science, and cybersecurity

• Skilled trades and technical sciences in advanced manufacturing & construction

• Culinary arts and hospitality occupations

• Business operations & customer service occupations

WSD3 offers classes in each area; students can enter the workforce as they earn industry certifications or they can enter the workforce after earning an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. For more information, on WBL click here.

The Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab (MiLL) houses a cabinet manufacturing, careers in construction, and welding technology programs for high school students. Students are trained on the industry’s most sophisticated machines, tools, and technology.

The MiLL offers students three career choices:  Cabinet Manufacturing, Construction Technology and Welding Technology.  

For more information about the MiLL programs and for frequently asked questions, please go to the MiLL Program website page

Cabinet Manufacturing

The MiLL's cabinet manufacturing program is designed to teach students the skills required in today's global economy.  Students who complete this program are trained and certified in state-of-the-art tools and machinery utilized every day in the cabinet manufacturing industry.

The Highlights of the program are:

• Students will learn skills to prepare them for careers, college, or other cabinet manufacturing paths.

• All materials and supplies are provided at no cost to the student through our industry partners

• Leadership and professionalism is a cornerstone of our curriculum

• Students can earn OSHA-10 and Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA) certifications

• Students can join Skills USA, a student-led organization

• Students can participate in regional, state, and national competitions

Construction Technology

Construction Technology classes are designed for students to gain valuable skills necessary to jumpstart a career in construction.  Students learn concepts and skills through industry-based projects, such as building adirondack chairs, sheds, and a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home.

Students will learn:

• Core

  • Build trade safety and first aid

  • Basic construction math and print reading

  • Tools and construction materials

• Carpentry

  • Sheet with plywood and shingles

  • Build walls

• Electrical

  • Install circuit panels

  • Install conduit and wiring

  • Systems testing and repairs

• Plumbing

  • Install and repair plumbing systems

  • Cut and join pipes

  • Install fixtures and appliances

• OSHA-10

  • Recognition, avoidance, abatement and prevention of safety and health hazards in the workplace

  • Information regarding workers' rights, employer responsibility, and how to file a complaint

Welding Technology

Once students complete the Intro to Welding class at Widefield High School or Mesa Ridge High School, they are eligible to sign up for Welding Technology A and B at the MiLL's National Training Center.

Students create hand-drawn plans, develop a bill of materials for ordering steel, calculate project costs, and create a cut list for their raw materials.

Students will learn:

• Industry career & outlook

• Torch cutting

• Plasma cutting

• Gas metal arc welding

• Tig welding

• Nondestructive Testing (NDT)

Thinking about a career but not sure what you need to do to enter the field?  The Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*Net offer career seekers valuable information to help make informed decisions.  

The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States. Each occupational profile describes the typical duties performed by the occupation, the work environment of that occupation, the typical education and training needed to enter the occupation, the median pay for workers in the occupation, and the job outlook over the coming decade for that occupation. 

O*NET OnLine has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, developers, researchers, and more!  Find, search, or browse across 900+ occupations based on your goals and needs. Then use comprehensive reports to learn about requirements, characteristics, and available opportunities for your selected occupation.

To review the course descriptions, click on the image for your high school.