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From innovative programs and industry partnerships to student experiences and community conversations, CTEC is preparing students with the skills, confidence, and real-world experiences they need for their futures. Explore stories highlighting the impact of career and technical education in our community.
September 15, 2026
Grand Opening Event - Welcoming the Community to CTEC
We were thrilled to welcome our community into CTEC for our Grand Opening! It was wonderful to see students, families, community members, industry partners, and supporters come together to explore the new facility and see firsthand the opportunities available to students. Guests were able to visit each of our classrooms, meet CTEC teachers, learn more about the programs, and see the hands-on, real-world learning that will take place in these spaces.
More than anything, the afternoon was a celebration of what this center was built to do: connect students with meaningful learning, future careers, and the community around them. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us and to the many partners and supporters who helped make CTEC possible. We can’t wait to see what our students do here!
Read more about the CTEC Grand Opening in the local news coverage below.
July 31st, 2026
Introducing Jessica Lippi - Culinary Arts & Hospitality Teacher
Meet Jess, our new Culinary Arts & Hospitality teacher! In this video, Jess shares how growing up in her dad’s iconic local restaurant helped shape her love for the hospitality industry, how her background in counseling strengthened her passion for connecting with students, and her vision for creating a program rooted in real-world learning and community connection. We’re so lucky to have Jess on board and can’t wait to see (and taste!) what she and her students create together.
July 31st, 2026
Almost Ready to Welcome Students!
With construction nearly complete and classrooms preparing to welcome students, CTEC was ready to begin its next chapter. This article offers a look inside the new facility just before opening, highlighting the purpose-built spaces, expanded resources, and hands-on learning opportunities waiting for students.
More than a new building, CTEC was designed to give students from across the region opportunities to explore career fields, build confidence, earn valuable skills and certifications, and discover what might (or might not) be the right fit for their future. From larger spaces for hands-on projects to dedicated classrooms equipped for industry-based learning, the center was built to help students learn by doing.
Click here to read the full article in the Bonner County Daily Bee
July 2nd, 2026
Exploring the Vision and Opportunities Behind CTEC
CTE Director, Alex Gray and Post-Secondary Transition Counselor, Jeralyn Mire, recently joined the Community Resource Envision Center podcast to discuss the vision behind CTEC, the growing opportunities available to students, and how career-connected learning helps prepare students for life after graduation.
Click here to read a summary of the conversation.
May 12th, 2026
CTEC Student Earns Three Industry-Recognized IT Certifications
Aaron Cornelius reached an impressive career-readiness milestone, earning three industry-recognized CompTIA certifications: A+, Security+, and Linux+. The certifications demonstrate advanced skills across computer hardware, cybersecurity, operating systems, technical troubleshooting, and Linux technologies.
Aaron built on his classroom learning with real-world experience through both paid and unpaid IT internships, gaining valuable hands-on experience as he prepares for a future career in information technology.
“Aaron’s dedication, work ethic, and willingness to go above and beyond have truly stood out,” shared his teacher, Alex Gray. “We are incredibly proud of the effort he has put into preparing for a future career in information technology.”
Aaron’s accomplishment is a great example of how CTEC programs help students turn their interests into practical skills, industry credentials, and experience they can carry directly into college and careers.
May 5th, 2026
May 5th, 2026
24 SHS Students Earn Workforce Readiness & CTE Diplomas
24 SHS Students Earn Workforce Readiness & CTE Diplomas
Twenty-four CTE students from the Sandpoint High School Class of 2026 earned Idaho’s Workforce Readiness and Career & Technical Education Diploma, recognizing students who go beyond standard graduation requirements to demonstrate career-ready skills. To earn the distinction, students complete a CTE pathway, pass technical skills and workplace readiness assessments, and demonstrate mastery through SkillStack microcredentials or industry-recognized certifications.
The achievement reflects the value of career-connected learning at CTEC, where students have opportunities to build technical knowledge, employability skills, and hands-on experience that prepare them to confidently take their next steps after graduation.
Click here to read the full article in the Bonner County Daily Bee.
June 1, 2025
June 1, 2025
Building a Homegrown Workforce
Building a Homegrown Workforce
Before construction even began, the vision for CTEC was about much more than a new building. It was about expanding opportunities for students, responding to the workforce needs of North Idaho, and helping young people build the skills and connections to create a future right here at home.
This article, published ahead of CTEC’s June 2025 groundbreaking, shares the stories of students, graduates, teachers, and local industry partners who helped illustrate why expanding Career Technical Education matters to our region. From healthcare and welding to technology and construction, it offers a look at the strong foundation CTEC was built upon and the vision that continues to guide its growth today.
Click here to read the full article in the Bonner County Daily Bee.
October 24, 2025
October 24, 2025
CTEC Construction Takes Shape
CTEC Construction Takes Shape
As construction brought CTEC from plans on paper to a building taking shape, the possibilities for students were becoming easier to see. This article takes readers inside the development of the new facility and explores how purpose-built spaces would give growing programs like Nursing Assistance, Sports Medicine, Computer Network Support, and Residential Carpentry room to thrive.
It also shares the thought and collaboration that went into designing CTEC, from teacher input to decisions about location, funding, and how the new facility could best serve students throughout the region. At the heart of it all was a goal that remained consistent from the beginning: create more opportunities for students to gain real-world skills and prepare for their futures.
Click here to read the full article in the Bonner County Daily Bee.
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