Public-Private Partnership

As an innovative public-private partnership between Salem-Keizer Public Schools and Mountain West Investment Corporation, the vision for CTEC is to prepare high school students for high-skill, high-wage and high-demand careers while developing the professional skills, technical knowledge, academic foundation and real-world experience to assure their success upon graduation.

Mountain West purchased the 150,000 square-foot former Neilsen Manufacturing facility in 2014 with a commitment to renovate the space and equip 10 different Career Technical Education (CTE) programs of study by 2019. The total capital project budget is $17 million, with Mountain West contributing $9 million, and $8 million leveraged from the public sector, foundations, individuals and businesses.

As the other half of the public-private partnership, Salem-Keizer Public Schools develops the curriculum, recruits and registers students, hires faculty and staff, provides transportation and covers ongoing operating costs. CTEC programs align with high school graduation requirements as well as industry certifications and standards.

To learn more about the history and the successes CTEC is seeing, check out our CTEC Brochure (PDF), provided by Mountain West.

CTEC Advisory Council

A CTEC Advisory Council comprised of District leadership, community leaders, higher education stakeholders and industry representatives advises and aligns programs to meet industry and educational needs. The committee has helped shape the center from its inception and continues to play a key role in the development and sustainability of CTEC.

Industry Advisory Committees (IACs) are established to support each program of study. IAC members contribute their expertise to advise program content, provide experiential learning opportunities, offer resources and connect students to job opportunities. Two on-site business liaisons—hired via the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce—link Industry partners with students, providing a variety of engagement opportunities, including industry presentations and demonstrations, site visits, career fairs, interviews, internships and jobs.

ctec sign
Innovation
Video and Game Design Animation. CTEC Career Technical Education Center through Salem-Keizer Public Schools prepares students for high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand careers, while developing the professional skills, technical knowledge, academic foundation and real-world experience to assure their success upon graduation.

Integrated Curriculum

At CTEC, all of our students experience an integrated curriculum that includes rigorous academic standards and relevant industry-specific skills. Students directly apply and connect academic knowledge with technical skills to graduate with a competitive advantage as they head into their career of choice.

Business Development and Leadership. CTEC Career Technical Education Center through Salem-Keizer Public Schools prepares students for high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand careers, while developing the professional skills, technical knowledge, academic foundation and real-world experience to assure their success upon graduation.

Professional Skill Development

CTEC focuses on teaching professional skills and establishes a professional work culture within the school environment. CTEC students are known in the community to stand tall, firmly shake hands, speak with conviction and problem-solve in an efficient manner. Through the integrated curriculum and connections to industry, CTEC students gain the professional skills needed to succeed upon graduation.

Industry Partners. CTEC Career Technical Education Center through Salem-Keizer Public Schools prepares students for high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand careers, while developing the professional skills, technical knowledge, academic foundation and real-world experience to assure their success upon graduation.

Industry at the Table

Industry is always present at CTEC. Each program is supported by an Industry Advisory Committee that meets quarterly to review curriculum, identify resource needs and share opportunities—ensuring that CTEC is always teaching relevant industry-specific skills and making career connections for students. Industry professionals interact with students on CTEC’s campus by providing presentations and technical demonstrations, offering feedback on assignments and leading engaging, hands-on activities. CTEC students travel out into the community to visit companies and experience the workforce in action.

CTEC Career Technical Education Center through Salem-Keizer Public Schools prepares students for high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand careers, while developing the professional skills, technical knowledge, academic foundation and real-world experience to assure their success upon graduation.

Career Pathways/Competitive Advantage

All CTEC students participate in career exploration as they learn about the different requirements for their specific career goals. CTEC embodies a planning culture, giving our students not only the skills necessary for success, but also providing a map of how to accomplish their goals. All CTEC students identify a career pathway by placing a leaf on their program’s Career Tree. This process helps our students plan for their future in the industry of their choice.

Auto Body Repair and Painting. CTEC Career Technical Education Center through Salem-Keizer Public Schools prepares students for high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand careers, while developing the professional skills, technical knowledge, academic foundation and real-world experience to assure their success upon graduation.

Hands-on learning/Industry teachers

CTEC classrooms offer relevant hands-on experiences for all of our students and each program is taught by experienced educators and industry professionals. Educators at CTEC come straight from industry and are then licensed as CTE educators. All of the faculty at CTEC have significant experience and community connections, allowing our students to learn and engage at the highest level possible.

Impact & Evaluation

With a 98% graduation rate, we know that we are helping students succeed in school. Other key outcomes include earning dual-college credit, gaining valuable industry certifications, strong attendance, professional skill development, and 100% positive placement post-graduation. We anticipate longer-term positive outcomes as we track the career and college pathways students take after CTEC. CTEC’s programs and success are not only evaluated by the school district and the Oregon Department of Education, but also a third-party agency that tracks alumni success, student voices and industry experiences. This organization runs focus groups, surveys and community outreach to evaluate the growth and impact of CTEC.

Industry Partners. CTEC Career Technical Education Center through Salem-Keizer Public Schools prepares students for high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand careers, while developing the professional skills, technical knowledge, academic foundation and real-world experience to assure their success upon graduation.

Positive Placement

CTEC students graduate high school with a career plan, as well as an internship, job, military or college acceptance. Positive placement is one of the driving missions at CTEC. We are developing our future skilled workforce and contributing to a thriving community.

Student Impact Stories

Industry Impact Stories