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Riverside Unified unveils 5‑year CTE strategic plan to expand access and industry partnerships
Summary
District CTE coordinator Ron Weston presented a five‑year plan to elevate career technical education — including a districtwide branding campaign, feasibility study for a centralized CTE hub, transportation options and formal industry MOUs — while trustees raised questions about funding, facilities and credentialing instructors.
Riverside Unified’s coordinator of Career Technical Education, Ron Weston, presented a district five‑year strategic plan on Feb. 12 designed to place career technical education on equal footing with college prep and to expand access to high‑demand pathways.
The plan sets four strategic goals through 2030: change mindsets/raise awareness; expand access and equity; enhance work‑based learning and industry partnerships; and strengthen programs and support systems. Immediate actions include a district branding/marketing campaign to promote career readiness, teacher and counselor toolkits for career integration, a feasibility study to evaluate a centralized CTE campus, and a needs assessment of facilities and equipment to align with industry standards.
Weston said the district will pursue clearer transfer/registration pathways, explore dedicated transportation funds for high‑demand programs, and formalize partnerships with local employers through MOUs to expand internships and pre‑apprenticeships. He noted several short‑term deliverables, including classroom toolkits and an inventory of facility and equipment needs before the end of the school year.
Board members welcomed the goals but pressed for more detail on cost, sustainability, scheduling and credentialing. Trustee Lee asked whether the facilities needs assessment is distinct from the district’s long‑range facility master plan; staff replied that the CTE assessment focuses on future industry standards and equipment. Trustees asked staff to clarify funding sources and to provide detailed cost estimates — including transportation and staffing models — before committing to large capital or program expansions.
Trustees also highlighted equity concerns: how to ensure students from all attendance areas can access popular programs, how to reduce scheduling barriers for students who must retake courses, and how to recruit and credential industry experts as teachers. Weston said the plan will return to the board with measurable annual updates and that the district intends to pursue grant funds and other sources where available.
