What you need to know
The school district and representatives of CelLink announced the launch of the coming manufacturing program Sept. 17.
GISD, ACC and CelLink will partner to create a Pathways in Technology Early High School program over the 2024-25 school year, with students able to sign up for courses in the fall of 2025, CTE Director Bretton Schulz said.
PTECH academies allow students who are unlikely to enroll in college an opportunity to earn both an associate's degree and industry credential, according to the Texas Education Agency. Unlike a traditional early college high school, PTECH programs are usually career-focused. These programs allow school districts to partner with local businesses and higher educational institutions to offer education tied to a career in a certain field.
CelLink technologies is a California-based manufacturer of flexible circuits, which are used in electric vehicles and batteries, and opened a manufacturing facility in the city last year.
About the program
The program will allow students to graduate with an associate's degree in manufacturing and robotics, as well as earn industry certifications, Schulz said. Courses will become available to incoming freshmen next fall.
It will be offered through the district's Future Ready Learning Complex, which hosts the upper level courses of many CTE pathways offered in the district.
What they're saying
"We know that manufacturing is the future," Superintendent Devin Padavil said. "We know that we are at a critical point where there is a ton of opportunity that is going to lead to a great life, and a great income for these young people to live in their adult lives, if they take advantage of the opportunities that are here in the next five to 10 years."
