TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — Career training programs at Del Valle ISD and other Central Texas school districts are working to meet the need for skilled trades and other high-paying jobs.
Expanding career training is one of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s seven emergency items during the current legislative session.
Nonprofit Texas 2036 says by 2036, more than 70% of jobs in Texas will require a postsecondary credential. Currently only about one in three of the state’s high school graduates get one.
At Del Valle High School, students in Mr. Vega’s welding class get hands-on training that could spark a future career.
“Anything you think of it, you can make it,” senior welding student Enrique Muñoz said. He was first inspired to learn during his freshman year so he could help his father with a job at home.
In three years, Muñoz has racked up experience.
“I started what they call rigging out, having my machine and just going to job sites, building gates, fences, mailboxes,” said Muñoz. “Currently, the biggest job I’ve done was a carport that’s 24 by 16 feet long.”
The senior has also done an internship at TCS Mechanical and won several awards.
“Last year, I got second place in state,” he said. “I think there’s room for improvement, and that’s what I’m going at right now.”
Muñoz is one of nearly 3,000 students enrolled in Del Valle ISD’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) department. It offers 16 programs in trades, technology and healthcare to help meet local demand.
Partnerships with Tesla, Samsung, St. David’s Healthcare and other companies provide internships and networking opportunities.
“Many of our families don’t have the resources, just like I didn’t growing up,” Del Valle ISD Superintendent Dr. Matthew Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez says the district’s students graduate with industry certifications, college credits, and even associates degrees, all at no cost.
“Many of our students, they’re the first to graduate from college,” said Gutierrez. “They already have a lot of the skills to be able to start and just get straight to work without having a huge learning curve.”
At the State Capitol on March 5, the Texas House Committee on Public Education Subcommittee on Academic & Career-Oriented Education heard testimony from lawmakers, school officials and industry leaders on House Bill 120, which would expand CTE programs statewide.
“It is essential that our educational institutions prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.,” said Tom Harris, chair of the Fort Worth Mayor’s Council on Education and Workforce Development.
“If we can include rural areas, if we can include the advising component that will bring more kids into the CTE program, we can help build that workforce,” said Victoria VanNest, executive director of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association.
Gutierrez hopes more funding flows from the Capitol to Del Valle ISD during this session to help fund CTE programs.
“When you’re talking about auto mechanics and welding, the resources, the tools are not cheap,” he said.
Muñoz says after graduation, he hopes to either join the union and work at TCS or get a job at a shop with a recommendation from his instructor. The senior’s ultimate dream job is to be a rig welder with his own truck and gear.
“I would like to get hands on and go travel,” said Muñoz.
Del Valle ISD plans to add more students and more programs into its CTE department once the district’s second high school opens in August 2026.
Austin ISD, Round Rock ISD and many other Central Texas schools districts also offer CTE programs.