NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas -- Spectrum News reporter Stacy Rickard in November 2018 introduced us to the Construction Career Prep Course at Canyon High School in New Braunfels. It appears the course is a resounding success.
- Prep course provides students with paid internships
- 4 students received signed job offers
- Program expanding in the fall
Under the recently launched program, juniors and seniors work with local contractors via a paid internship. They learn trades such as roofing, concrete and electrical work. Twelve students are currently enrolled in the course, but it's expanding.
On May 16, Comal Independent School District announced on Facebook that four of those students have received signed job offers from local trade companies.
Canyon High School senior Jayce Robbins has been interning with JPI Electric in Schertz. He plans to continue working with the company upon graduation and remain in the electrical field.
“This internship has opened my eyes to what I could do in the future,” Robbins said.
Canyon High School senior Adam Alcorta has been interning with Quality Plumbing in New Braunfels. While he plans on attending West Texas A&M University in the fall to study civil engineering, he will also continue to work for Quality Plumbing over the summer and on weekends.
“This has been a great opportunity for me to see all that goes into construction,” Alcorta said. “It take a lot of hard work and long hours. You leave when the job is done, and you have to pay attention to a lot of small details.”
Besides Quality Plumbing and JPI Electric, businesses that provided internships are Connally Plumbing, Ott Plumbing, Earnest Roofing, Zellner Electric, Lowry Electric, Dibello Architects, TIG Plumbing, Christianson Air Conditioning and Plumbing, In Charge Electric, New Braunfels Home Depot, and Miranda Plumbing.
The 12 students with current internships are Alcorta, Robbins, Ty Aird, Peyton DeGroote, Tristin Smith, Bryson Kizer, Jake Vest, Cameron Shaw, Andres Lujan, Dylan Dietz, William Killingsworth, and Ty Pizarro.
Beginning in the fall, Canyon High School, Canyon Lake High School, and Smithson Valley High School will include the Architect/Construction graduation pathway to course selections.