In celebration of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) recognizes the value of CTE programs and the achievements of students who pursue high-skill technical careers in more than 750 unique occupations across the state.
TWC supports CTE programs through multiple initiatives, including the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Dual Credit Program. SDF Dual Credit grants allow educational institutions and business partners across the state to develop training programs and Dual Credit opportunities that give students a jumpstart on their education or career goals as they earn credits toward a degree or professional credential while still in school.
TWC’s Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant program also helps community, state and technical colleges, as well as open-enrollment charter schools and school districts defray startup costs associated with developing or expanding CTE programs on their campuses.
TWC and Workforce Solutions Education Outreach teams—composed of career coaches—at the state and regional levels partner with CTE faculty on school campuses to share information with Texas students about career readiness and exploration from the perspective of workforce experts.
Career coaches work in tandem with counselors, advisors, teachers, and parents to share labor market information and data to help support informed career exploration conversations with students, empowering them to make educated decisions about their plans beyond high school.
In further support of Career and Technical Education in Texas, TWC launched Career Signing Day in March 2019 to recognize and celebrate high school students who choose to enter career pathways leading to indemand occupations right out of high school.
Texas Career Signing Days encourage partnerships and articulation agreements between high schools, 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.
For more information on TWC’s support of CTE programs including how to participate in a Career Signing Day, visit twc.texas.gov or email CareerInformation@twc.texas.gov.