Texas students choose hands-on career training over traditional college path
Career technical education enrollment surges as state invests millions in trade programs
WACO, Texas (KWTX) - More Texas students are choosing hands-on experience through career technical education as an alternative to traditional college paths, with enrollment surging at programs across the state.
University High junior Henry Gutierrez said he knew from a young age what he wanted to do as an adult.
“I started the construction aspect with my dad. He got me involved in it. I’ve always enjoyed watching and seeing cars, and modified cars,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez said the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy has put him on the right path to pursuing his passions.
“I get to learn minimum the basics and how it’s going to work in the real life to prepare me for further. I get know at least get to know the minimum of what I’m going to do when I grow up,” he said.
Enrollment numbers climb across CTE programs
Science teacher at GWAMA Zonya Zuniga said enrollment is rising for CTE programs.
“Previous years where the class sizes may have been some of them even like 10, so a ratio of 10 to one. But now, our class sizes are super full, so my biggest class right now is 23 to one,” Zuniga said.
The classroom growth coincides with expanding industries in Waco. The city is expecting a graphic packaging plant, aluminum can production and a hydration drink factory.
“Waco is just booming and we’re having a lot of industry companies coming into Waco. They need employees and our students are kind of pursing those careers or have in mind to purse those careers,” Zuniga said.
State legislation expands opportunities
Governor Abbott recently signed House Bill 20, creating the “applied sciences pathway” program which allows high schoolers to earn their diploma and technical certificate concurrently.
“This is something, not just myself, but a lot of parents and people within the community wished this was offered to them when they were in high school. So being able to encourage this new group of kids coming in and ready to come into the workforce is super exciting,” Zuniga said.
Funding challenges remain for technical colleges
Leaders at Texas State Technical College said the school’s capacity to grow is limited because it is only funded based on students’ outcomes, unlike community colleges.
Senior director of college pathways and enrichment Kadie Svrcek said she hopes Proposition 1 passes on the November ballot. The amendment would create two new funds, the permanent technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund to support the Texas State Technical College System.
“Right now, we are at full compacity at the majority of our 11 campuses across the state. So, with proposition 1, if it does pass, that will give us the opportunity to build more. Which then, we can serve more students, which then we can put more students into the work force,” Svrcek said.
State grants support equipment needs
The Texas Workforce Commission is helping boost technical education through the Jobs and Education for Texans grants worth $15 million. School districts, community colleges and tech schools can apply for funds to get necessary equipment for their programs.
“The funding is essential. We need more booths if we’re having more students coming in, then that means we need more welding booths. The construction science lab, it needs to be bigger. We recently added drones to GWAMA and our students need that space to where they can actually fly,” Zuniga said.
Gutierrez said GWAMA gives him a taste of the real world, especially since his goal is to pursue his dream rather than just work for money.
“It’s not fun going to work and just getting the money. Yeah, money is the fun part. But if you don’t enjoy it or you’re not always comfortable there, there’s not point honestly,” he said.
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