Your Future Begins Here.

Career Programs

The Career Programs offered at Tri-County are broad enough in scope to appeal to almost any student. Programs are offered in the building trades, auto trades, service occupations, and various technical fields. Instruction is offered in a variety of technologies by teachers who are experienced and licensed in the field they teach. This allows instructors to teach the practical, hands-on skills, as well as the theory behind the application.

Class sizes at Tri-County are conducive to an excellent learning environment, with a 15 to 1 student/teacher ratio in vocational-technical classes and 18 to 1 in academic classes.

Tri-County operates on an alternating week schedule, with students spending their academic week in eight periods of traditional high school course work and the alternate week in vocational/technical studies.

Pam Olsen, Director of Vocational Programs

Freshmen Exploratory

Career Exploratory Program for Freshmen

Every student enrolled in the ninth grade at Tri-County participates in the Exploratory Program. The purpose of the Exploratory Program is to give each student the opportunity to investigate a variety of career opportunities to determine personal skills, abilities, and interests. Each student will explore nine different career programs. The student chooses six programs of interest on their application. Tri-County will select three more to investigate. Each student will explore at least two non-traditional career areas. Guidance counselors work closely with the students and the vocational instructors to ensure that the exploratory experience is a positive learning experience for each student.

Each exploratory is graded and is figured in the student’s exploratory average. In January of freshman year, students select their top three choices for a vocational major. Program choices are awarded based on overall exploratory average, exploratory teacher recommendation, and space availability.

Cooperative Education

Cooperative Education Program

During their senior year, qualifying students are able to participate in Tri-County’s Cooperative Education Program. As part of the program, students receive paid jobs within their field of study from area employers. Participating students devote the time they would typically be in shop to working in the field. Instruction is planned and supervised by the school and the employer.

Obtaining employment through the district’s Cooperative Education enables students to hone valuable soft skills while building a resume and networking with industry leaders. Some students accept full-time positions with their Coop employer upon graduation, while others maintain a paid part-time position while continuing their studies in college.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COOPERATIVE EDUCATION HANDBOOK