Long Beach School District breaks ground on new career and technical education center

More career opportunities will be coming to Long Beach High School students in the 2024-25 school year.

The Long Beach School District had a groundbreaking ceremony for its new career and technical education center. It’s an alternative for students who are wanting to learn a trade or for those looking for an alternative to college.

The CTE center will offer classes ranging in construction, welding, engineering, health care, and other technical trades.

CTE Director Patrick Bennett says this program will give Long Beach students the upper hand upon graduation. “Our coastal economy is dependent on highly qualified skilled workers. There’s a major need, especially in the technical trades right now for these workers. It’s going to give our students a huge leg up on the competition. They’re going to graduate high school with a lot of these national certifications. They’re going to be a year and a half, two years ahead.”

Bennett says that the CTE center is scheduled to open at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year.