The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded Corpus Christi Independent School District with a $282,766 grant for its welding programs.
During a news conference this morning, Texas Workforce Commission Chair Ruth Hughs signed the check for CCISD.
Hughs said the money will be used to provide better equipment for high school students in Veterans Memorial High School and Moody High Schools’ welding programs. Both schools applied for the grant.
Veterans Memorial’s program has 130 students while Moody’s program has about 90.
Commissioner Hughs said she hoped this will keep local students in the Coastal Bend after they graduate.
“What I often hear employers say is that individuals sometimes have the degree or other opportunities they come prepared with but they’re not always work ready,” Hughes said, “So, being able to train on state of the art equipment really allows them to be work ready and have these skills under their belt for whatever else they do with their education going forward.”
The welding instructors at Veterans Memorial and Moody High Schools were elated with today’s announcement.
VMHS welding instructor Juan Castillo said the grant will help his welding students get a job after they graduate.
“We want to get our kids employable. We want them to be model citizens and stay here in our community and get these jobs that are here,” Castillo said.
The grant comes at a good time because the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics report the need for welders will increase by 26 percent next year.
