LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Inside the Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center, students are getting a head start on careers while they’re still in high school by taking part in programs focused on Career and Technical Education.
As executive director Amy Baker says, there’s plenty of options for students.
“Welding and automotive and electrical programs to culinary, AV production, health science, graphic design, cosmetology,” Baker said. “You name it and there is something that will help produce a strong employee for the future.”
One of those strong future employees is Tony Maldonado, who takes part in the electrical program within CTE and will soon be working for Larcon Electric. He says being able to work inside this program for the past three years has allowed him to develop his craft before starting his career.
“It does give us a head start and a lot of communication, especially being able to work on a job site,” Maldonado said. “It’s completely different than just sitting in a classroom all day and learning about text. That’s the nice thing about this program is we get hands-on learning.”
Johnna Wilkins, part of the pharmacy technician program, is also seeing how Career and Technical Education is making in impact on her life while also showing employers they should take a chance on youth here in Lubbock.
“With these programs that the ATC offers and all that, I think we become more mature,” Wilkins said. “Our teachers are like y’all are going into the real world, y’all are going to clinical’s, y’all are doing this and that. We have the certifications, we have the hands-on experience, we know what y’all want, and our teachers really conditioned us for that.”
As these students get ready for what lies ahead, Baker says CTE is truly making a difference in west Texas and looks to do so for a long time.
“It’s impactful for our parents and it’s impactful for our kids, it’s impactful for our teachers,” Baker said, “but it’s really impactful to our community and surrounding areas here in Lubbock.”
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