WVHS guidance department showcases Career & Technical opportunities

Warwick Valley Central School District is proud to offer an incredibly wide range of Career & Technical Education (CTE) opportunities to its students. Whether participating in Warwick Valley's popular in-house programs or traveling to Orange-Ulster BOCES for its comprehensive slate of courses, CTE students are guided along interest-driven pathways that set them up for post-secondary success, from college to career!

Last week, the Warwick Valley High School Guidance Department presented an assembly for 10th grade students, providing them with an overview of available CTE opportunities and highlighting the immediate and long-term benefits that CTE programs deliver. The assembly was very student-focused, with a panel of CTE students leading the presentation from both the in-house Warwick programs, as well as the OU-BOCES programs. Some of the topics discussed during the assembly were... Earning high school credits through CTE

• Earning college credits through CTE
• Internship opportunities
• Life-long skills learned through programs
• Meeting like minded students from other schools

CTE students -- whether at WVHS or BOCES -- earn high school credit while learning in hands-on settings and gaining real-world experience. Warwick Valley's in-house CTE courses include Criminal Justice, Video Production, and Cosmetology. These programs immerse students in authentic learning environments, that include ride-alongs with local law enforcement, creating professional-grade media productions, and operating a full-service salon for public clients. 

Some CTE programs offer the chance to earn college credits, giving students a head start on higher education. Some programs even count toward professional certifications, giving students a leg up on career searches. For example, read how Naomi Valentino (2025) planned to apply her cosmetology experience after graduation, and you can check out this article to learn more about how the cosmetology program prepares students for college and/or career!  

The WVHS Video Production program turns out an incredible amount of student-produced content every year, from covering Wildcats sports to concerts by our performing arts deprtament to timeless Warwick Valley traditions. Video Production students also make regular visits to colleges offering production programs and enjoy educational visits from industry professionals, like this one. Warwick Valley CTEC also has a strong SkillsUSA team that travels to compete in Regional and State tournaments. Check out their entire video library on the WVTV YouTube Channel.

WVHS students interested in construction careers can opt to take a field trip to the Hudson Valley Construction Career Day, where they engage one-on-one with industry experts in the building and construction trades. Some of the career pathways represented at the annual expo include masonry, machining, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and project management. 

CTE programs often include internship and apprenticeship opportunities, which means students get even more work-based learning and connect directly with industry professionals in their field of interest. 

The assembly also explored the wide variety of CTE classes that students can choose to take at Orange-Ulster BOCES. These are divided up into various "learning academies," including...

• Appearance Careers Academy
  • Cosmetology
  • Esthetics
• Construction Careers Academy
  • Carpentry
  • Electrical Construction Technology
  • HVAC/Plumbing
  • Welding
• Culinary Careers Academy
  • Culinary Food Trades
• Education Careers Academy
• Emergency Services Academy
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Fire Science
  • Law Enforcement
• Environmental Careers Academy
  • Animal Science (Veterinary Assistant)
  • Heavy Equipment
• Health Careers Academy
  • Dental Careers
  • Exercise Science and Personal Training
  • Home Health Aide
  • Principles of Health Occupations
  • Allied Health Assistant
  • Nurse Assistant
  • Pharmacy Technician
• STEM Careers Academy (Science Technology Engineering Math)
  • Engineering Design and Architecture (CAD)
  • Computer Networking (Cisco CCNA)
  • Computer Programming and Video Game Development
  • Mechanical Engineering Systems (Formerly Mechatronics and Robotic Engineering)
• Transitional Careers Academy
  • Hospitality / Workplace Learning
  • Vehicle Maintenance
• Transportation Careers Academy
  • Auto Body/Restoration
  • Automotive Technology
  • Aviation
• Visual Arts Academy
  • Graphic Design & Digital Media
  • Digital Cinema
  • Fashion and Interior Design

In February, students will be able to take a guided tour of OU-BOCES and learn more about the programs that interest them most. Besides touring the facilities, students will meet instructors and learn more about the specialized academies. 

CTE isn’t just about earning credits; it’s about building confidence, gaining real-world experience, and opening doors to college and career success. Students who enroll in CTE develop life-long skills—from technical expertise to problem-solving and teamwork—that employers and colleges value, and Warwick Valley is proud to offer these opportunities and encourage every student to take the next step toward shaping their future.