Trade, Technical, and Vocational Career Paths

Today, Issaquah High School students seeking to acquire career skills, while pursuing a non-traditional route to high school graduation, have many options. Washington State OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs are aligned with industry and academic standards, providing more innovative program partnerships supporting alternative pathways beyond high school.

Informational Trade, Technical, and Career Running Start Recorded Webinar

 College Planning Webinar - Trade, Technical Careers, & Running Start. Featured Speakers: Renton Tech College, Lake Washington Tech College, Bellevue College, discussing certifications, AA and AAS-T degrees, work/internship opportunities, including culinary, medical tech, automotive, welding. Slide Show.

 

LWTech Program Career Paths
A career path (career pathway, career roadmap, career maps) is a small group of occupations within a single career category or cluster. Occupations within a career path share common skills, knowledge, and interests.
 
There are many great career and education resources in Washington state. LWTech and the career paths  are provided to  by WA Career Paths, a free resource paid for with funds from the Carl D. Perkins Act. Whether you are still in high school, changing careers, or getting back into the workforce, WA Career Paths is designed to quickly connect with the best resources on your road to success.
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Washington Network For Innovative Careers (WANIC)

Through WANIC, many opportunities are available:

  • Health-Oriented Programs:
    • Dental, Nursing, Firefighter, Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Students may earn community college credits while fulfilling the Washington State High School CTE requirement. Learn More.

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Renton Technical College Running Start

Renton Technical College offers a wide range of vocational, technical and academic courses to receive both high school and college credit.  Renton Technical College has an extensive list of programs, including:

  • Automotive Tech, including the FORD Asset Program for becoming ASE certified 
  • Business: Accounting, Construction Management, Entrepreneurship, Legal Assistant
  • Culinary Arts
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Health Assistants:  Anesthesia, Dental, Nursing, Pharmacy, Veterinary
  • IT: Application Development, Computer Networking, Computer Science
  • Technical: Machining, Welding, Appliance Repair, Land Survey

Renton Technical College also offers general education courses in English, History, Spanish, Science, and other areas. Learn More: Programs of Study, Running Start Overview and Requirement,and Getting Started

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Bellevue College Running Start – Professional / Technical Options

In addition, Bellevue College offers AA and AAS-T programs for students who prefer starting their careers with a 2-year degree or certification. Learn More: Programs of Study and Running Start Overview and Requirements. Options include:

  • Business: Accounting, Management, Marketing, Business Technology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Digital Media Arts: Video games, Animation, Graphics
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Health: Ultrasound, Neurodiagnostic, Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Sciences, Nursing, Radiation
  • IT: Information Systems, Network Services, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
  • Interior Studies

 

Questions, IH PTSA College & Career Planning Chair.