Join us for our livestream announcement of our new Career & Technical Education Initiative
Friday, September 25 at 10:45 a.m.
The Archdiocese of Omaha’s Career & Technical Education Initiative
Career & Technical Education expands the ways students in Archdiocese of Omaha schools can discover their gifts, apply their knowledge in hands-on lessons, explore meaningful careers and prepare for life beyond high school.
Archbishop Michael McGovern is proud to announce this initiative to expand opportunities in Career and Technical Education in Catholic schools across Northeast Nebraska. This multi-year initiative is the first such effort by a diocesan school system in the United States and will begin with a pilot at six schools in 2027-2028.
Explore Careers
Discover interests, talents and potential career paths.
Learn by Doing
Gain practical, hands-on experience alongside classroom learning.
Expand Opportunities
Connect students with new educational pathways, industry partners and experiences.
Build Skills
Develop technical and professional skills students can carry into college, careers and life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is career and technical education?
Career and Technical Education (CTE) is hands-on learning that helps students explore careers, build real-world skills, and prepare for life after high school — whether that means college, a trade, an apprenticeship, or entering the workforce directly.
In Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools, CTE is also rooted in something deeper: helping students discover the God-given gifts they’ve been given and understand how those gifts can be used in service to their families, their communities, and the Church — no matter what career field they’re ultimately called to.
Is this happening at every school?
The initiative begins with a pilot at six schools, chosen to represent a range of school sizes and settings. The goal is to expand these opportunities to additional Catholic schools in the coming years — we’ll share more as that timeline develops.
Which schools are participating?
Norfolk Catholic Junior and High School (Norfolk), St. Joseph Elementary School (Atkinson), Christ the King Catholic School (Omaha), Skutt Catholic High School (Omaha), All Saints Catholic School (Omaha), and Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School (Omaha)
What programs will be available?
Students will get hands-on, real-world experience alongside their regular classroom learning.
Depending on their age and school, that could include trade boot camps in areas like auto and diesel, construction, and HVAC; career exploration days; a ‘Lunch and Learn’ series featuring women working in career and technical fields; tabletop exercises and after-school programs; and hands-on activities like a robotics kit developed with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Engineering.
Lessons are built on Nebraska Department of Education standards along with other trusted curriculum partners.
Learn More about
Career and Technical Education
Submit Questions about Career & Technical Education Program
Whether you’re a student, parent, educator or community partner, we’re here to help you learn more about Career & Technical Education in Archdiocese of Omaha schools. Submit your questions here or send us a message if you want to support this initiative!
With Gratitude
The Archdiocese of Omaha is grateful to the members of the Career and Technical Education Viability Task Force for their work, which guided the development of this initiative.
- Most Reverend Michael McGovern | Archbishop of Omaha
- Vickie Kauffold | Archdiocese of Omaha Superintendent of Catholic Schools
- Dr. Anita Mehsling | Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools Office
- Bree Kotulak | Archdiocese of Omaha Office of Stewardship and Development
- J.J. Stoffel | Roncalli Catholic High School – Omaha
- Hana Abbott | Gross Catholic High School – Bellevue
- Rob Meyers | Skutt Catholic High School – Omaha
- Terry Kathol | Scotus Central Catholic – Columbus
- Amy Wattier | Norfolk Catholic High School – Norfolk
- Doug Moore | Bergan Catholic High School – Fremont
- Kris Hennings | Mercy High School – Omaha
- Nate Barry | Metro Community College
- Scott Broady |Metro Community College
- Jeremy Nielsen | OPS Career Center
- Sydney Kobza | Nebraska Department of Education
- Rick Bettger
- Bob Danenhauer
- Sarah Pillen
- Tom Pogge
- Dave Weist
- Gail Werner-Robertson
- Bill McKay
- Mike McDonnell
- Peter Fink
- Alex Fink
- Mike Lawler
- Jim Vecchio
- Most Reverend Michael McGovern | Archbishop of Omaha
- Vickie Kauffold | Archdiocese of Omaha Superintendent of Catholic Schools
- Dr. Anita Mehsling | Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools Office
- Bree Kotulak | Archdiocese of Omaha Office of Stewardship and Development
- J.J. Stoffel | Roncalli Catholic High School – Omaha
- Hana Abbott | Gross Catholic High School – Bellevue
- Rob Meyers | Skutt Catholic High School – Omaha
- Terry Kathol | Scotus Central Catholic – Columbus
- Amy Wattier | Norfolk Catholic High School – Norfolk
- Doug Moore | Bergan Catholic High School – Fremont
- Kris Hennings | Mercy High School – Omaha
- Nate Barry | Metro Community College
- Scott Broady |Metro Community College
- Jeremy Nielsen | OPS Career Center
- Sydney Kobza | Nebraska Department of Education
- Rick Bettger
- Bob Danenhauer
- Sarah Pillen
- Tom Pogge
- Dave Weist
- Gail Werner-Robertson
- Bill McKay
- Mike McDonnell
- Peter Fink
- Alex Fink
- Mike Lawler
- Jim Vecchio