By: Erin Cook, GCCISD CTE Recruitment and Marketing Facilitator

GCCISD offers a wide range of courses across all 14 Texas Education Agency (TEA) career clusters, including agriculture, business, construction, arts and audio-visual technology, education, energy, health science, hospitality, human services, information technology, law and public services, manufacturing, engineering, and transportation, distribution, and logistics. These pathways provide hands-on experience in industries such as construction, health care, and technology, equipping students with valuable skills that make them competitive in the workforce. In addition to its existing programs, GCCISD continuously adapts to meet industry needs. A great example is the new Logistics Program, which responds to the growing demand for skilled workers in the Gulf Coast Region. This program prepares students for careers like logistics coordinator, supply chain analyst, or port operations manager.

Student Spotlight: Samuel Munguia – Instrumentation Student, STEM Academy at Lee High School

Instrumentation student at the STEM Academy at Lee High School, Samuel will graduate with an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Instrumentation Technology from Lee College. He enjoys hands-on simulations based on local refinery plant operations the lab at Lee High School provides and plans to join one of the refineries in Baytown after graduation.

Student Spotlight: Erik Gonzalez – Culinary Arts Student, Culinary Academy at Stuart Career Tech High School

 Culinary Arts student at Stuart Career Tech High School, Erik’s passion for sustainable farming led him to the Culinary Arts Academy, where he learned the different sustainable practices in the kitchen. After winning state and national awards in FCCLA for his aquaponics system, Erik plans to join the Marines and later develop his business, Mini-Ponics, focused on sustainable farming methods.

Student Spotlight: Brianna Gutierrez – Business Student, Global Business Academy at Goose Creek Memorial High School

Business student at Goose Creek Memorial High School, Brianna is set to graduate with an Associate of Arts in Business from Lee College. She is currently interning at Buzbee Law Firm, gaining valuable experience in the legal field. After high school, she plans to pursue a career in Corporate Law, with a vision of making an impact in business and law.

CTE’s Community Impact

The benefits of CTE programs go beyond individual students. Through these programs, students can earn valuable industry certifications, college credits, and associate degrees, helping fill the skills gap many employers face. Work-based learning experiences, such as internships, make students job-ready upon graduation.

For employers, CTE programs provide access to a pool of trained, motivated individuals who require less on-the-job training and are often better equipped to meet industry demands. These trained employees tend to have higher retention rates, benefiting both businesses and the economy.

Baytown businesses can partner with GCCISD CTE programs to help shape the next generation of skilled workers. Opportunities like hosting internships, offering job shadowing, and joining advisory boards allow businesses to directly influence program development, ensuring students graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to the workforce immediately.

For more information on how your business can benefit from these opportunities, visit the GCCISD CTE website at https://schools.gccisd.net/page/cte.home or connect with us on social media @CTEInAction.