Cary, N.C. — The Wake County Board of Education on Tuesday voted unanimously to move forward with plans to create a Career Technical High School with a target opening date of 2014.

The school, which would be a partnership between Wake County Schools and Wake Technical Community College, would offer high school students the opportunities to earn professional certificates and even college degrees in high-demand industries, such as biopharmaceuticals and welding. 

Students would also be able to earn high school diplomas. 

"This is an exciting opportunity to give our students yet another option to consider when thinking about their futures," Ann Dishong, director of school innovation for WCPSS, said in a statement. "We know that these are the types of careers where we are seeing growth. This hands-on experience will students more options when they graduate."

In March, Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata said the vocational high school would open at an old Coca-Cola plant in downtown Raleigh. The potential Career and Technical Education High School would be housed in a 101,700-square foot building on South Wilmington Street. 

About 700 high school students would be able to take courses in 10 areas, including biopharmaceuticals, collision repair, heating and air-conditioning, nursing assistant, electronics, plumbing, simulation game development and welding.

In the evenings and on the weekends, the building would be used for adult classes.