Veterans Memorial High School aviation students will be able to build a plane as the result of a state grant.
Four South Texas school districts and two community colleges on Aug. 8 celebrated awards through the Jobs and Education for Texans grant program totaling more than $1.6 million.
The grants from the Texas Workforce Commission support career and technical education training programs, allowing for the purchase of equipment.
The Corpus Christi Independent School District received a $57,312 grant. The district used the funds to purchase an airplane kit. Students will assemble a flight-ready airplane.
Veterans Memorial High School senior Santiago Perez said he's enjoyed the aviation program at the school. He's excited for more hands-on experience — after high school, he'd like to pursue aviation maintenance.
"It really opens up new avenues," sophomore Lauren Aguilar said. "Aviation helps with the military world and the commercial world, and it just opens up a lot of different pathways you can take."
Del Mar College received a $313,833 grant for its automotive program, supporting the purchase of equipment to train students as technicians for modern vehicle repairs. The program earned an accreditation from the Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation this summer.
"This grant ... is going to really up our technological standards at the college," Del Mar College associate vice president of continuing education and off-campus programs Leonard Rivera said. "It's going to allow us to have our students work on the electronic-savy vehicles that are being produced in today's world."
School districts in Banquete, George West and San Diego received between about $315,000 and $350,000 for health science programs.
"This is a big deal for our small district," Banquete Independent School District Superintendent Adriana Tagle said.
Banquete ISD purchased advanced simulation technology, including virtual reality tools, for nursing students.
"Together these tools create a true-to-life training environment that prepares students to step confidently into the workforce," Tagle said.
Since 2016, Coastal Bend schools have received nearly $15 million in JET grants.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: South Texas schools receive career and technical education funds
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