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Burlington High expands career pathways; youth apprenticeship grows to more than 35 students
Summary
Burlington High School leaders described new career‑pathway planning tools, expanded CTE offerings and a growing youth apprenticeship program that placed students in paid on‑the‑job internships with local employers.
Burlington High School Principal Amy Livonian and CTE coordinator Ben Hendricks presented updates to the school board on career and technical education offerings, a new career‑pathway planner in the course catalog and an expanded youth apprenticeship program.
"CTE" stands for career and technical education, Livonian told the board, and the high school has added a career‑pathway planner to its course description guide to help students choose courses that align with career interests and graduation requirements. The planner groups recommended courses, suggested electives and additional opportunities (dual credit, CTSOs such as HOSA) by pathway — for example, health sciences or architecture and construction.
Hendricks said the district also retooled the freshman seminar course to expose every freshman to career pathways and career readiness standards, and the school has begun hosting Gateway College tours and industry visits to increase student awareness of postsecondary options.
The presentation included results from an informal student survey on postsecondary plans and career interests. Hendricks reported 648 student responses: about two‑thirds of respondents expressed interest in a four‑year college, roughly one‑third indicated interest in a two‑year college, 11.4% listed the military and 16.5% planned to enter the workforce after high school. Top career clusters included business, construction, health care, media/technology and STEM.
Hendricks emphasized growth in the youth apprenticeship program: "it has ballooned to over 35 students this year," he said, describing paid, credit‑bearing, on‑the‑job experiences that include release time from school. Student speakers described their internships.
Student Aidan Dow, a youth‑apprentice with Square 1 HVAC, told the board: "It's been a good experience so far. I'm loving it. It's simple. I'm getting on‑the‑job experience and, I've learned so much." Square 1 owner Steve (last name not provided) praised Dow: "Aidan has been doing a phenomenal job and he is part of the family," and said apprentices who attend Gateway College move up faster within the company.
Former intern Jonathan Cowan described a paid quality internship at a glass packaging plant in which he learned shop‑floor procedures, performed time studies, trained full‑time employees on new gauging equipment, produced a training manual and presented at corporate headquarters in Indianapolis. Jonathan's mother Denise told the board the experience helped her son gain independence and practical workplace skills.
Livonian and Hendricks noted other expanded offerings at BHS: a Welding Academy that provides NC3 certifications and dual credit with Gateway, CNA coursework in partnership with Gateway, and student organizations like HOSA that give hands‑on experience. The school will use the new career‑pathway planner to guide students requesting courses for the 2025–26 school year.
Board members asked about whether student interest in four‑year college indicated a definite choice or exploratory interest; Livonian said the survey allowed multiple responses and counselors will use the data to start intentional advising conversations earlier in high school.
The presentation concluded with thanks to employer partners and a request that the board continue to support career‑readiness and apprenticeship expansion. No board vote was required for the informational update.
