Seguin, Navarro students take part in Industry Signing Day
(Seguin) — Area seniors are prepping for the real world.
The Seguin Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) these last couple of days celebrated its fourth annual Seguin Industry Signing Days in recognition of students choosing to enter career pathways leading to high-demand jobs directly from high school.
Seguin Industry Signing Days highlights the importance of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in local schools to ensure a skilled future workforce in Seguin and nationwide.
SEDC officials say it has become a tradition in high schools to hold a “signing day” for high school athletes announcing which teams they will join. Similarly, there is a signing day for students to announce where they will attend college.
This semester, students across Texas celebrated Industry Signing Day, also known as CTE Signing Day, by signing “letters of intent” for job offers, apprenticeships, or advanced technical training opportunities.
A total of 32 students from Navarro ISD and 27 from Seguin ISD shared their intent to enter the workforce or further their education in welding, advanced manufacturing, animal sciences, health sciences, skilled trades, or other high-demand industries.
Students from both high schools signified their intentions to pursue opportunities with local Seguin companies including Caterpillar, DaVita Dialysis, Discount Tire, EZ Welding, Herzog Transit Services, Inc., Koda Power Coating, Master’s Electrical Services, The Wildlife Ranch and United Alloy. Other students have committed to continue their education at regional institutions such as Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, San Antonio College, St. Philip’s College, Texas Lutheran University (TLU), Texas State University, Texas State Technical College (TSTC) and TSTC – TX FAME Lone Star.
“We are thrilled to recognize high school seniors in the Seguin area for their commitment to the skilled trades and high-demand career opportunities,” said Josh
Schneuker, executive director of the SEDC. “These students will make a big impact on the U.S. labor market and help close the skills gap impacting our country today.
By raising awareness of the many career options in high-demand industries, we hope to have even more students signing ‘letters of intent’ next year.”
Seguin Industry Signing Days encourage partnerships between high schools, technical colleges, community colleges and local companies. These partnerships help prepare students for promising careers.
“This is an exciting opportunity to partner with SEDC to honor Seguin ISD Career and Technical Education students who have completed their pathway at Seguin High School and are ready to take the next step in their careers, said Rick Bough, Seguin ISD CTE director. “For some, that means attending a trade school to gain further understanding of their craft, while for others it means using the skills and knowledge they have gained in their CTE courses to enter the workforce. Seguin ISD is proud of these young men and women and know that they will represent our district and their programs well.”
Vanessa Ritenour, CTE director for Navarro ISD, shares the same sentiments and looks forward to the success of these students.
“Navarro ISD proudly recognizes the hard work and dedication of our seniors who are continuing to pursue their career pathways beyond high school. They have acquired real-world knowledge and technical skills through the CTE program. By committing to a post secondary/technical school or by joining our local workforce within their selected program of study, these students are getting a jump start on their future career goals.
We congratulate them all and wish them the best in their future endeavors,” said Ritenour.
Navarro ISD students signed and celebrated on Tuesday followed by Seguin students on Wednesday.