Douglas County School District Prepares Students for the Future with Career and Technical Education

At the May 1st meeting of the Rotary Club of Minden, Cade Baligad, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the Douglas County School District (DCSD), shared their vision for equipping students with the skills needed for high-skill, high-wage, in-demand careers. Speaking with passion and purpose, Baligad emphasized that providing students with pathways to meaningful employment is key to helping them achieve the American Dream. He underscored the importance of building a community of skilled, well-paid workers who will choose to establish roots and raise families here in Nevada.

DCSD currently offers 12 diverse CTE programs of study to high school students, including Advanced Computer Science, Automotive Technology, Business, Digital Game Development, Engineering, Welding, Agriculture, Biomedical, Culinary Arts, Education, Military Service, and Fire Science. These programs immerse students in real-world scenarios and hands-on learning, sparking enthusiasm and engagement among participants.

Students enrolled in CTE programs have the opportunity to earn a Workplace Readiness Skills certificate, an End of Program certificate, and—if they maintain a 3.0 GPA in their program—college credits through Western Nevada College (WNC). Through dual enrollment partnerships with WNC, students in the Automotive and Education pathways receive instruction that counts toward both high school and college credit, setting them on a faster track to post-secondary success.

To support the transition from high school to college, Baligad highlighted the Nevada Promise Scholarship—a state-funded program that provides financial assistance to eligible Nevada graduates attending community colleges. The scholarship covers tuition and fees not already paid by other forms of aid and requires students to meet academic, mentorship, and community service requirements.

DCSD actively promotes CTE through early exposure opportunities, such as 5th Grade Tours and 8th Grade After School Programs at Douglas High School. The district has also produced a series of professional videos to showcase each of its programs, available for viewing at https://dhs.dcsd.net/departments/cte.

Baligad stressed the urgent need for skilled workers in Nevada, especially as the region experiences exponential growth. He pointed to the ongoing Fernley development project, which is expected to create over 75,000 skilled jobs in the next decade. Preparing local students to meet this demand, rather than relying on imported labor, is both a strategic and economic imperative.

With the right support and funding, DCSD’s CTE initiatives are not only preparing students for success—they’re shaping the future of Nevada’s workforce and making the American Dream attainable for the next generation.

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Thank you to guest author, Kory Miller for this fantastic article!