Terrell High School Joins TWC In Recognizing Thirteen Students at an Official Texas Career Signing Day Ceremony
Date: April 29, 2019
Media Contact: Lisa Givens
Phone: 512-463-8556
TWC and Terrell ISD Celebrate Official CTE Career Signing Day in Texas
AUSTIN ⎯ Terrell High School participated in its first-ever Texas Career Signing Day in recognition of the important step students are taking to continue their career and technical education after high school. Terrell High School students signed letters of intent reflecting their commitment to continue in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program in various junior colleges or career schools across the state. Career and Technical Education curriculum ensures a skilled future workforce for the Lone Star State and fast tracks students into promising careers.
Thirteen students were honored today in a Career Signing Day Ceremony and will begin programs in nursing, medical radiologic technology, dental assisting and CNC manufacturing (Computerized Numerical Control). The ceremony, also attended by the students’ family and friends, was hosted by Terrell High School Principal Dr. Juan Solis; Terrell ISD CTE Director and Director of College and Career Readiness Rhonda Knight; Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jason Gomez; and Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Commissioner Representing the Public Robert D. Thomas.
“We are excited to recognize these young Texans who have shown a commitment to furthering their education in pursuit of a great career,” said TWC Chair and Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs. “Employers will benefit from their desire to learn sought-after skills for employment in high-demand industries.”
Texas CTE programs encourage partnerships and articulation agreements between high schools and community/technical colleges and registered apprenticeship programs. These partnerships allow for college affordability with an emphasis on preparing students, who are the future workforce of Texas, for promising careers.
“Congratulations to these young students for helping to continue the tradition of CTE signing days!” TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez said. “We hope others will be inspired by these events and choose to continue their studies so that they can confidently prepare themselves for high-paying, exciting careers.”
On March 5, a resolution marked Texas CTE Signing Day as an annual event that supports the goals of the Governor’s Tri-Agency initiative by highlighting career and technical education programs as a way to address the skills gap as it relates to in-demand middle skill jobs and encourage this educational pathway to our Texas students.
“We are excited to spotlight some of our hard-working students at our first CTE career signing day,” said Director of College & Career Readiness Rhonda Knight. “It is a privilege to host events that recognize the achievements of our students and we look forward to continuing this tradition each year."
“Thanks to our state’s dynamic and diverse economy there are many paths to a successful career,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Robert D. Thomas. “I am so proud of each student here today and congratulate them for reaching out and taking control of their future. The path these young people are now on will open doors and build a great foundation for themselves, their families and their communities.”
“The Coordinating Board works closely with the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Education Agency to foster innovative career and technical education options that provide opportunities for students who may not have otherwise thought of themselves as college eligible. CTE options support the goals of 60x30TX, providing these students the potential to immediately pursue a high demand career or continue their education and training to further improve their marketable skills,” Commissioner of Higher Education Raymund Paredes said. “Earning college credit while in high school will help students save money and offers them early exposure to the types of environments they’ll encounter either in the postsecondary classroom or in the workplace.”
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The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org. To receive notifications about TWC programs and services subscribe to our email updates.
