Round Rock Edition | August 2022

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INCREASED INTEREST

Over the past few years, interest in career and technical education, or CTE, courses has increased. These courses help prepare students for higher education, entering the workforce or earning a trade certication.

TEA statewide

Round Rock ISD

Pugerville ISD

Hutto ISD

825K 750K 675K 650K 0

15K 14K 13K 12K 0

7K 6.5K 6K 5.5K 0

5.5K 4.5K 3.5K 2.5K 0

+28.02%

+10.39%

+17.14%

+108.67%

*THE MOST RECENT YEAR DATA IS AVAILABLE.

SOURCES: HUTTO ISD, PFLUGERVILLE ISD, ROUND ROCK ISD, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

construction, information, business and professional services will see near 50% increases in the number of available jobs in area coun- ties including Travis and Wil- liamson by 2028. As these sectors grow, not every position will require a four-year degree. CTE directors at Round Rock, Pugerville and Hutto ISDs all said they are experiencing

it requires a four-year degree. Programs at Round Rock, Pugerville and Hutto ISDs allow students to earn certi- cations that give them an advantage when beginning an apprenticeship, going to a trade school, attending a four-year college or heading straight into the workforce. Educators say CTE pro- grams can provide easy and aordable access to trade

increased interest in this type of education as indus- try leaders such as Tesla, Samsung and Apple invest in local operations. “In the last few years, where engineering used to be the most popular, now com- puter science is,” RRISD Direc- tor of CTE Sheri Bonds said. “Because parents are hearing about that in the media, and they’re hearing about job

openings, we’re seeing more students enrolling in com- puter science courses. There’s denitely a request and more of a desire for trades.” CTE is oered to Texas high school students who want to begin pursuing a trade or explore interest in a certain eld before graduation. “The kids get that oppor- tunity to try on a career and see if it really speaks to them

or not,” said Peggy Mica, RRISD assistant director of CTE. “They have a better idea when they leave us what might be their next step.” CTE pathways Formerly known as voca- tional education, CTE courses are geared toward providing students with training and education for a career, regardless of whether

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