CTE: Good for Students, Business & Community

In recent years, the Greater Waco community has seen explosive growth. With new companies choosing to call Waco home each year, meeting the talent needs of these new companies has become an imperative. With new community programs and initiatives developing, the Greater Waco community is rising to meet the challenge and the local school districts are a critical part of the solution. School districts across the state and country are revising their approach to college, career and military readiness by adding additional components to their career and technical education (CTE) programs. Read on to see how a few local school districts are ensuring that their students are ready for the careers of the future.

China Spring ISD

China Spring High School (CSHS) CTE programs are growing at a rapid pace. With the addition of a new health science center and an agriculture shop made possible through a bond, CSHS is excited to add two new programs of study to the already robust CTE course offering list. CSHS offers ten different programs of study for students to choose from, where all the programs will end with the opportunity for students to earn industry-based certifications. Two of the newest programs are Health Science Technology and Engineering.

The Health Science program will offer students an opportunity to earn a certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification as well as a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA) certification by the time they graduate high school. This training will be done both in the new Health Science lab as well as out in the community at local nursing homes and medical clinics.

The new Engineering program will be centered around a program called Tango Flight, which was created to inspire the next generation of engineers, pilots, aviation mechanics and technicians. Students will participate in hands-on training, where students apply classroom knowledge building an actual, FAA certified plane.

Additional programs of study include Animation, Graphic Design, Education & Training, Culinary Arts, Accounting & Financial Services, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering, and Manufacturing Technology. China Spring’s programs will prepare its students for success, whether they are planning to pursue post-secondary education or enter straight into the workforce.

Connally ISD

Connally High School (CHS) takes great pride in its Career and Technical Education department. Students at CHS have the opportunity to fill their time in high school participating in programs of study including the health sciences, law enforcement, construction technology, diesel technology, photography, graphic design, and business management. These classes, which are taught by highly qualified professionals in the industry, offer students a direct experience into the field that they study.

In addition to CTE classes, many students elect to participate in one of the numerous CTE organizations, including HOSA, Skills USA, and its nationally recognized BBQ team.

Connally partners with both Texas State Technical College (TSTC) and McLennan Community College (MCC) to offer students the opportunity to take courses in culinary arts, automotive technology, welding, aircraft airframe technology, electrical power and controls, certified nurse assistant, and certified clinical medical assistant. Each year, Connally proudly works with Holt Cat, Triple Win Waco, the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office Jail, and Connally ISD Technology Department to provide our students internship opportunities to receive hands-on, real-world training in their chosen fields.

Midway ISD

Midway ISD offers elective courses in Career & Technical Education (CTE) at its middle school and high school campuses. With courses offered in-house and through partnerships with the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy (GWAMA) and Texas State Technical College (TSTC), Midway students can experience elective opportunities that align with 15 of the 16 National Career Clusters.

CTE courses are beneficial for every student, including those who plan to attend college. High school students involved in CTE are more engaged, graduate at higher rates and typically go on to postsecondary education. CTE prepares students to be college and career ready by providing core academic skills, employability skills and technical, job-specific skills.

All CTE courses have a corresponding CTSO, or Career & Technical Student Organization. At Midway ISD, its CTSOs are active in the community and competitive on both a state and national level. The design of each CTSO is to extend the learning from the classroom to the real world so that students can make authentic connections when applying their knowledge and skills. The active CTSOs and CTE supporting groups at Midway High School include:

• BPA (Business Professionals of America

• FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America)

• HOSA - Future Health Professionals

• Texas FFA and National FFA

• Robotics

The construction of a new CTE wing in 2022 allows for student growth and provides access to industry-standard equipment and technology in Engineering; Computer Science and Cybersecurity; Health Science and Biomedical Science; A/V Production and Communication; Graphic Design and Commercial Photography; and Fashion Design. The CTE programs offered at Midway align with current workforce needs and its CTE students are subsequently prepared to take the next step in life and prosper.

Waco ISD

Waco ISD continues to prepare its students for the world of work in partnership with local and national industry partners.

The Waco ISD Career & Technical Education Department provides more than 30 comprehensive course offerings while simultaneously meeting industry needs. Nearly 250 Waco ISD students earned industry-based certifications in the 2022-2023 school year. New course offerings for Waco ISD students include the Emergency Medical Technician certification track that may lead to careers as emergency personnel, including becoming firefighters. A new sports media curriculum, introduced in the 2022-2023 school year, gives students experience filming various sporting events and editing and producing game footage for broadcast purposes.

Waco ISD is also meeting industry needs by preparing students for areas that are seeing extreme job shortages across the nation including the fields of education, trades, and healthcare. The need for teachers across the nation is driven by a complicated job market of supply and demand. Waco ISD is working to meet the district’s need through a “grow your own” program known as the Future Educators Academy, which began in the 2022-2023 school year. Students may earn an associate degree upon graduation from high school and transition directly into a two-year bachelor’s degree program to achieve their teaching certificates in partnership with McLennan Community College, Tarleton State University, and Texas Tech University. Waco ISD offers program graduates hiring preference upon obtaining their teaching certifications.

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary in September, Waco ISD’s Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy (GWAMA) continues to create pathways for high school students to earn industry-based certifications, hands-on experience, and trades skills. Academic programs include architecture, construction science, robotics and electronics, and welding. Waco ISD is not only meeting industry needs; it is preparing students for lucrative careers in the trades at this academy for the past decade.

With more than half of the most in-demand jobs in the country being in the healthcare industry, the Greater Waco Advanced Health Care Academy (GWAHCA) is an innovative collaboration facilitated by Waco ISD in partnership with the local healthcare industry for Greater Waco area school districts.

Students may earn multiple certifications in a variety of medical professions including certified nurse assistant (CNA), certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA), pharmacy technician, and community health care worker (CHW). Students are prepared to secure employment in the healthcare industry or enroll in post-secondary healthcare programs prior to graduation.

Greater Waco is home to nearly 50,000 students across 20 school districts, four charter schools and more than a dozen private and parochial schools. Ensuring that these students are ready to enter post-secondary education or directly enter the workforce remains a high priority for local school districts and their community partners.