Career and technical education offers students valuable hands-on experience in high-demand fields like health care, engineering, information technology and manufacturing. CTE programs not only equip students with the practical skills needed for today’s jobs; they also contribute to graduation rates nearly 10 percentage points higher than those of students who do not take CTE courses. Bill Blevins, Clackamas Education Service District’s regional coordinator of career and technical education, plays a pivotal role in shaping these valuable career pathways for students. 

In partnership with the county’s 10 regional school districts, Clackamas Community College, South Metro-Salem STEM Partnership, Clackamas Workforce Partnership and numerous industry organizations, Bill helps develop and support over 80 CTE programs across Clackamas County. By bringing together teachers, administrators and industry professionals, Bill ensures students gain real-world experience through internships and work-based learning opportunities, empowering them with the tools they need to succeed in their education and future careers.

“We want students to view CTE programs not just as electives but as legitimate pathways to a successful career,” says Bill.

In 2024 alone, Bill supported nine industry professionals from fields like health sciences, culinary arts, engineering technology and human services in making the transition to teaching, guiding them through a licensing process that allows them to bypass traditional teacher prep programs.

“The goal is to ensure they are not only confident in the subject matter but also in their ability to teach it effectively to students,” Bill explains.

Since joining Clackamas ESD in 2020, Bill has expanded the county’s CTE offerings, growing the number of health sciences programs from two to eight and helping launch a new pilot CTE training program that offers college transfer credit. Bill is also working to secure funding to revitalize existing programs and provide schools with the latest equipment.

With over a decade of experience as a classroom teacher and several years as an administrator, Bill’s expertise has been instrumental in making CTE programs more accessible, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.

“I love my job,” Bill shares. “As a former CTE teacher, I understand the value of this education.”