Highland Cabinetmaking CTE Students Prove Real World Readiness with Top Statewide Scores

When we ask our students to Rise Above, we are driving them to show up with purpose and work together to reach their full potential. Our Cabinetmaking Career & Technical Education (CTE) students showed the power of Rising Above by earning the highest score in the state on their program’s Technical Skills Assessment. While this achievement marks our Cabinetmaking program as the top in the state, the true achievement is our students’ demonstration of real-world readiness.

The Technical Skills Assessments are administered by the State of Arizona and evaluate how well students can apply their knowledge, solve complex problems, and navigate safety standards under realistic working conditions. By passing the exam, students earn an industry-endorsed certificate recognized by business leaders across Arizona.

Under the guidance of instructor Chris Askew, the Cabinetmaking CTE workshop is designed to be a space where students learn by doing. First-year students get comfortable in a shop environment by mastering cutting machines for small projects before moving on to earn national OSHA 10 safety certifications in year two. Those who continue into advanced classes learn to read professional blueprints and practice building with materials like epoxy and glass. In our shop, students operate like a real business by tracking budgets and calculating project prices together. These skills help prepare our Hawks to enter careers in construction, contracting, and project management.

By focusing on these lifelong tools, we ensure that every student leaves our campus with a clear purpose and the confidence to design their own path. We invite future Hawk families to explore our academic programs by scheduling a tour at HighlandHigh.GilbertSchools.net/Tour.