Career & Technical Education

While many schools send students outside the district for Career and Technical Education, Bedford High School has most of its own programs on campus. This arrangement provides opportunities for more students to take advantage of Career and Technical Education programs as part of their elective course options.

Taught by instructors who make the student their number-one concern, students explore high-tech, hands-on learning. They gain the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the workforce, military, or higher education, and, in general, prepare to function in a high-tech computer-oriented world. Through the various Career and Technical student organizations, students gain valuable leadership skills and participate in local, regional, state, and national competitions.

Here is an overview of the Career and Technical Education programs at Bedford High School.

Skill Training & Technical Programs

    Automotive Technology
    This program offers opportunities for students to learn automotive systems diagnosis, maintenance, and repair using computerized test devices and equipment. Upon successful completion of this program, students may directly enter the workplace using the skills they have mastered in service stations, dealerships, auto parts stores, and mechanics shops. They may also continue their education at a trade or technical school. Apprenticeships and supervised early job placement programs are options in the second semester of the senior year. Qualified students may also train for the industry-recognized ASE Certification.
    Quick Serve Auto
    This program for selected students offers hands-on training in tire, brake, and lubrication service; and basic auto skills. The program is designed to provide students with skills to enter the automotive service industry directly after graduation.
    Biotechnology
    Biotechnology is a science that studies the biological make-up of organisms. Students in this program will study the molecular, biologic, genetic, and immulogic make-up of cells. DNA methodology is introduced. Students interested in this program should have a strong science background. Post-secondary instruction is necessary for employment in this field.
    Cosmetology
    This program is offered through an agreement with Maple Hts. High School and prepares students to take the State Board of Cosmetology licensing examination. Students learn to provide cosmetology services such as hair, skin, and nails to clients to aid them in the improvement of their appearance. Students perform hands-on activities such as hair cutting, manicures, pedicures, and facials.
    Home Improvement and Maintenance
    This program is offered through an agreement with Maple Heights High School and is designed to help students develop skills for maintenance and remodeling of homes and other buildings. Fields that are studied include electricity, plumbing, framing, roofing, and finish carpentry.
    Health Sciences, Pre-nursing
    The Health Sciences, Pre-nursing program prepares students for careers in the nursing profession. Training includes nursing, medical assistant and patient care areas. After completion of the program, students will earn Patient Care Technician (PCT) certification, and with continued training in a post-secondary institution, the opportunity to earn Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) certification.

Business Academy
These programs train students to enter the world of business directly or to enroll in higher education and major in Business Administration. Students learn using state-of-the-art equipment and software. Upon graduation, students may enter the workforce directly or enter higher education and major in Business Administration or a related field.

    Information Technology/Cisco® Networking
    This program prepares students to enter the high-tech field of computer network administration and support. Students learn how to repair computers and troubleshoot local area networks, install computers, and use application software. They participate in hands-on projects while preparing for the Cisco® Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) exam and A+ Computer Repair Certification. Upon successful completion of this program, students may directly enter the workplace or continue their education at a college, university, or technical school.

    Microsoft® Office
    This program provides students with an introduction into the latest computer applications for business. Students learn Microsoft Word®, Access®, Excel®, and PowerPoint® programs. They work in an office setting that simulates daily business situations. Students also become familiar with the day-to-day office environment and build proficiency in correspondence preparation, schedule management, data entry, document preparation, records management, and related duties.

    Financial Management
    This program provides students with the necessary skills to analyze data, turn data into information for decision-making, and share forecasting information with management. Concentration includes the areas of accounting, investment banking, money management, financial planning, insurance, real estate, and risk management. Students work in an office setting while they prepare for entry-level business opportunities.

Work Study Programs
These courses provide opportunities for students to combine their required and elective academic programs with a supervised work experience at an approved training station, receiving regular wages, as well as school credit for the work. Students attend classes at Bedford High School for part of the day, and then go to a jobsite to gain first-hand work experience for the remainder of the day.

    Marketing Education: Marketing Education is designed to meet the needs of students who desire to enter careers such as advertising and promotion, banking and finance, communications, fashion merchandising, hospitality management, retailing, small business management, and wholesaling. Students may continue their studies at a college, university, or technical school after graduation, or enter the workforce directly.
    Career-Based Intervention: This program enables select students to learn successful work habits and attitudes through a variety of jobs. Potential employers include fast food restaurants, service businesses, maintenance companies, retail and wholesale firms, service stations, and manufacturers.

Tech Prep Programs
Many of the Career and Technical Education Programs at Bedford High School provide opportunities for students to link their junior and senior years of high school with a two-year associate's degree technology program at Tri-C by earning college credit while in high school. Qualified students can begin college at Tri-C with up to eight credit hours. These credits may later be accepted in a bachelor's degree program at a major four- year college or university. Students enrolled in these programs are required to take science and mathematics as part of their high school experience.

Tech Prep options are available in:

    Microsoft® Office
    Financial Management
    Automotive Technology
    Health Sciences, Pre-nursing
    Biotechnology
    Information Technology/Cisco® Networking
    Marketing Education