Career and Technical Education is the solution for Odessa’s Skills Gap.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) has never been as important to Odessa and our students as it is now to fill the skills gap. CTE is the solution. CTE has an important role in teaching core academics, and it has long been recognized as an essential part of preparing our students for lifelong careers. CTE can fill the skills gap in Odessa and help our students by preparing them to enter the workforce and become productive citizens within our community.
It’s well known that Odessa faces skilled worker shortages. The same is true statewide. In a recent report by the Association for Career and Technical Education, (ACTE), 54 percent of jobs in Texas require skills training and 45 percent are trained at this level. Career and Technical Education can fill these gaps, particularly in Texas’s key industries, like Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace and Energy. Furthermore, as the Baby Boom generation begins to retire from all fields, they are taking their skills with them. Employers are struggling to recruit workers in the Automotive, Residential construction, Electrical, Home repair and Service industries as well. Skilled workers are also needed in our Health care system. The need for skilled labor is a reality in Odessa, in the State of Texas and the Nation. CTE can fill that need.
As citizens of Odessa, Texas we have an opportunity to support our students, support our industry and enhance our community by voting for the ECISD Bond. The Bond includes a New State of the Art Career and Technical Education Center. The Career programs and our teachers will develop students’ technical, academic and employability skills through work-based and hands on learning, ensuring that they are prepared to enter High Wage, In Demand Careers within our community.
Early Voting Starts October 23-31 and November 1-3. Election Day is Tuesday, November 7th, 2023, from 7 A.M. – 7 P.M. Please Vote Yes for Proposition A. Vote Yes for Proposition B and Vote Yes for Proposition C.
Career and Technical Education and this Bond has never been as important for our students, for our industry and our community as it is NOW. This Bond is good for Students, Good for Industry and Good for our Community. Our Kids Deserve the Best! Please VOTE YES!
Kind Regards,
Natividad Armendarez
Career and Technical Education Teacher
