Preparing Students for Life Beyond High School with Career and Technical Education

For Two Rivers senior Lorenzo Blanco, learning doesn’t just happen in a classroom—it happens outside, working with animals at Dodge Nature Center as he prepares for a future in veterinary medicine.

That’s the impact of Career and Technical Education (CTE). Across School District 197, students gain real-world experience through hands-on learning, internships, and partnerships with local businesses—helping them explore interests and build skills for what comes next.

At Two Rivers High School, students can choose from more than 50 courses that offer opportunities to earn college credit, industry-recognized certifications, internships, and work-based learning.


CTE in School District 197

Students begin to discover career interests in elementary school, with electives and learning opportunities that continue to expand throughout middle and high school. Through programs at Two Rivers High School and TriDistrict CAPS, students work alongside industry professionals and gain experience in fields such as culinary, child development, healthcare, transportation and trades, business, natural resources, and technology.

Students across the district are already putting their learning into action:

  • TriDistrict CAPS Transportation and Trades students, in partnership with industry professionals, installed a sidewalk extension at Two Rivers.
  • Student Help Desk students provide IT support to students and staff—repairing devices and troubleshooting issues while earning industry certifications.
  • Work-Based Learning students are gaining experience during the school day through internships at local businesses.
  • TriDistrict CAPS Natural Resources students are building solar panels while learning about alternative energy and sustainability practices.
     

Expanding Opportunities

Located just inside the Two Rivers entrance, the new Career Readiness Center serves as a hub for work-based learning and career development. Made possible in part by a Youth Skills Training Grant from the Department of Labor, the center connects students to hands-on experiences while also offering support with resume writing, interview preparation, and career exploration. A key focus of the program is expanding access for all students—including those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)—by increasing opportunities for career exploration and paid work experience in high-demand fields. As it continues to grow, the Career Readiness Center is designed to be a space where any student can access guidance and build skills for life beyond high school.
 

Did You Know?

According to the Minnesota Department of Education,

  • 92% of Minnesota students who take multiple CTE courses graduate high school

  • 65% continue their education after high school
  • 86% are employed shortly after completing their program

Click here to read more and meet Lorenzo and fellow Two Rivers senior Mackenzie Woods, and see how students in the TriDistrict CAPS Natural Resources, Sustainability, and Food Systems course are putting learning into action.