Launched in 2023, the Southwest Washington Rural CTE Cooperative is expanding access to Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses for students in rural high schools.

The cooperative helps participating schools share resources and offer CTE courses that might otherwise be unavailable to rural students. Through live, online classes, students can take career-focused courses, earn dual credit, and explore job pathways that prepare them for life after high school.

Student feedback gathered from Student Voice surveys reinforces the need for programs like the Rural CTE Cooperative. When asked about career preparation, many rural students said they feel uncertain about their next steps due to limited access to preparatory courses.

At the same time, students expressed strong interest in high-demand fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, animal science, and natural resources. They identified hands-on experiences, such as job shadowing, internships, and dual-credit courses, as the most valuable ways to prepare for those careers. Many also requested preparatory courses such as personal finance, home economics, and basic automotive repair.

Together, these insights highlight the importance of expanding access to real-world, career-connected learning opportunities, exactly the kind of experiences the Rural CTE Cooperative is designed to provide.

For Glenwood High School student Jocee Hoctor, the program is opening doors in Early Childhood Education. Through the cooperative, she is gaining hands-on experience working directly with young children while building practical skills for her future career.

Watch Jocee and other students reflect on their experience:

Students attend live virtual classes taught by certified teachers from across the state. Courses are designed in partnership with industry partners to ensure they align with current workforce needs. In addition to online instruction, students participate in hands-on learning opportunities, including labs, field experiences, job shadows, internships, and practicums within their local communities.

For example, students like Jocee spend part of their school day working in preschool classrooms, applying what they learn in real-world settings.

“The Medical Assistant class is a great way to test out your future in the medical field,” says Naselle-Grays River Valley student Halle Miller. “The teacher is great and very patient with all her students! The lab days are fun, and we get to experiment with real medical situations. I would strongly recommend this class for anyone interested in joining the medical field.”

The program also supports students in exploring a range of post-high school options. Whether they plan to attend college, enter a trade, or join the workforce, students gain practical knowledge and confidence.

By aligning coursework with regional workforce needs, the cooperative also helps students build career pathways closer to home, strengthening local communities.

Currently, the Rural CTE Cooperative offers four career areas that both match local job needs and translate well in an online setting:

  • Information Technology
  • Health Sciences
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Middle School Career Exploration

2026-2027 Pre-Enrollment Open

Planning for the 2026 – 2027 school year is now underway with 15 courses available. To register, submit pre-enrollment by May 13, 2026. For more information and to see all courses, visit our website.

Rural CTE Cooperative partner organizations

The SW WA Rural CTE Cooperative is generously supported with funding through the Les and Sheri Biller Family Foundation.

Additional partners include: Computing for All, Washington Association for Community Health, and Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of SW WA.

Learn more at: esd112.org/rural-cte