NVHS CTE: Logistics Hub

​Q. At Nueva Vista High School, what career pathway trains teenagers for some of the tens of thousands of jobs in the fastest-growing sector of the Inland economy? 

A. Logistics and distribution. ​

NVHS 1.JPGIndeed, logistics – fueled by global trade, e-commerce, and fulfillment centers in California – drove an estimated 24 percent of the Inland region's direct job growth from 2011-2018, according to the Southern California Association of Governments. Students at Nueva Vista are poised to capitalize on that growth. 

“The CTE (Career Technical Education) program on our campus helps give students hands-on experience working with logistics, distribution, and management of goods," said Jenna Saugstad, the school's principal.  “It is something that they can use immediately upon graduation." 

Program Overview 

NVHS 2.jpgThe logistics and distribution program at NVHS, now in its third year, comprises a two-course, one-year CTE pathway. Most Nueva Vista students take one or both of the courses, Ms. Saugstad said. The classes combine academic and technical learning, explained Lucy Centeno, distribution and logistics teacher at Nueva Vista. Coursework not only instructs students on the fundamentals of e-commerce, warehousing, distribution, and logistics but also develops students' soft skills in areas such as teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Course assignments cover supply chains – the syllabus mentions the “journey of Listerine" – along with OSHA safety rules loss prevention, shipping and receiving, and industry technology. Students put this learning into practice, and see employment opportunities firsthand​, by visiting warehouses and distribution and e-commerce facilities in the Inland Empire.​

What's New

A new logistics lab on campus simulates the warehouse experience. JUSD and Nueva Vista have “transformed two rooms to create one large working space that is flexible and has the supplies needed to simulate a true working space," Ms. Saugstad said. The new lab, which opened this school year, “illustrates to students that we are committed to giving them all of the tools that they need to succeed and to help them to replicate the working world while they are in class so they feel more prepared as they enter the workforce," the principal said. 

Learning Without Limits

NVHS 3.JPGIn recent days and weeks, logistics students have focused on safety rules, packing for distribution, communication skills, and public speaking. CTE helps students gain a range of skills, “from an entry-level job to developing into a leadership role," Mrs. Centeno said. “Students learn about the talent and skills that each person provides to achieve the company's goals and objectives. They learn openness to change, management, teamwork, communication, innovation, reliability, integrity, and accountability, and to apply these skills during and after high school at any job."   

Students said CTE at NVHS has taught them work ethic, public speaking, confidence and communication skills. In the words of Ms. Saugstad, the program helps students learn to focus and self-assurance along with technical and soft skills: “CTE helps show students that they have the ability to succeed where barriers may have stood before," she said.   

What's Unique 

8.JPGNueva Vista's CTE program was created specifically for NVHS students. “Many of our students are only with us for one school year and that can make it difficult to complete a full CTE pathway," Ms. Saugstad said. “However, in the development of this program, the needs of students, our campus model, the expectations of the program and the importance for future success were outlined to create a program that allows all students to be involved and complete the full pathway. Opening up opportunities for all students is what we are proud of." 

Mrs. Centeno said, “The CTE program at NVHS reflects and represents the current economic growth in the Inland Empire. The program is unique and gives students the skills to select and research jobs for future career growth."

In Students' Words
  • “People would be surprised that we learn about distribution and the number of jobs that are out there in this field in our area," said senior Jesse Corona, who would like to become an architect or engineer for Amazon. “The class is educating me for the workforce." 
  • “It was rewarding learning about ourselves and discussing our future goals," said Wendy Cazares, a senior. “My dream job is to be a hospital administrator.  In this class, we learn about future careers and how to reach our goals."  
  • “I am happy with how comfortable everyone is in this class," said Juan Garcia, a senior who plans to join the Marine Corps, open a small business and perhaps become a realtor. “I feel like we can talk to anyone in the class, especially Ms. Centeno. The class feels safe and it makes you want to share. I feel successful in this class." 
The school's industry partners also support the program's success, Mrs. Centeno said. “Employers are excited that CTE is being taught in the classroom."​​

GO BACK


Copyright © 2024 Jurupa Unified School District. All Rights Reserved.