Career and Technical Education
Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Osseo Area Schools connects learning to real-world careers. Students gain hands-on, minds-on experience while exploring interests, building practical skills and preparing for college and the workforce.
Why choose Career and Technical Education?
CTE helps students:
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Learn through hands-on, real-world experiences
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Explore career options before making postsecondary decisions
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Earn college credit
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Gain industry-recognized certifications
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Build employability skills, including teamwork, communication and problem-solving
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Connect classroom learning to future goals
Main Contact
Tanya Drake
Staff Development Teacher
Career and Technical Education
763-391-8145
DrakeT@district279.org
Career pathways and opportunities
Osseo Area Schools offers a wide range of CTE courses and career pathways aligned to high-wage, high-demand fields. Students can participate in CTE while taking other electives, joining activities and meeting graduation requirements.
Career Strands
Career Strands are structured pathways that help students build skills in high-wage, high-demand fields. Strands connect courses, career experiences, industry credentials and college credit options, giving students a clear path from school to further education and careers.
Students can complete a career strand while also taking other electives, participating in activities and meeting graduation requirements. Transportation is provided for students who attend strands at other schools for part of the day.
Osseo Area Schools offers the following career strands, detailed in the Career and Technical Education guide:
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Business:
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Finance, Management and Marketing
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Health Science:
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Emergency Medical Services and Nursing
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Family and Consumer Science:
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Education and Interior Design
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Trade and Industry:
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Automotive Repair, Construction Management, Design, Pre-construction and Engineering
Additional CTE programs & courses
In addition to Career Strands, Osseo Area Schools offers a wide range of CTE courses and programs that allow students to explore interests, develop practical skills, or prepare for specific careers.
These opportunities include, but are not limited to:
- Business administration
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Culinary arts
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Early childhood
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Drones
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Fashion design
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Information technology
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Robotics
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Work-Based Learning and Career Exploration
Students may take individual CTE courses for exploration or combine multiple courses to deepen their learning.
Planning for the Future
CTE supports students in making informed decisions about courses, careers, and postsecondary options.
- Check Xello to review saved careers and colleges that align with their interests
- Review the Career Strand Guide to explore pathways
- Talk with a school counselor or advisory teacher about course options in Osseo Area Schools that align with college and career dreams.