CTE, Career & Technical Education, departments across the state have the potential to close this knowledge gap by preparing students with real-world experience using practicums. Practicums are apprenticeship-like experiences that allow students to step out of the classroom and into their field of interest, gaining knowledge, hands-on experience, resume building, and professional development.
Seventh through 12th-grade students at Aledo ISD have access to 79 CTE programs, made available through the collaboration of surrounding businesses. These program categories scatter 10 career clusters for optimal student growth, like agriculture, architecture, communication, business, education, engineering, transportation, information technology, law, and health. These 10 clusters have the capability to offer 28 unique industry-based certifications.
Students are encouraged, before the school year starts, to find a practicum placement, so when school begins, they are ready to begin their roles. Students involved in a CTE program will have their schedule shaped uniquely around their coursework load and practicum hours, therefore, creating a unique professional experience.
By providing this off-campus workforce practice to students along with standard coursework, Aledo ISD is providing students with the opportunity to obtain a trifecta of knowledge, a high school diploma, college credits, and an industry based certification, according to Wilkinson. Not only will they be provided the knowledge it takes to succeed in higher education, but their future careers as well. The success of the CTE programs has been recognized as a CTE District of Distinction by the Career and Technical Education Association of Texas as of 2025.
“In our CTE department we work to look ahead at the technology that will be required in each industry and how it will impact the way we instruct students four or five years from now,” said Tim Rogers, Aledo ISD Career Technical Education Coordinator. “We try to gear up for that and train the students to be prepared for a new way to approach solutions for that industry,” – a technique used to better benefit the students and businesses long term success rates.
Aledo ISD has been successful in their endeavors; however, the goal is to expand and multiply the opportunity for more students. “We want to partner with you,” said Wilkinson. The partnership between schools and businesses is what keeps this initiative moving forward. “That’s why it’s so important to have these types of meetings and partnerships with you guys because it really helps drive our programming,” said Wilkinson. “We are always looking for local businesses and industry to partner with our CTE programs to provide practicum, apprenticeship-type experiences for our students.”
The CTE program efforts create a full circle connection because while students earn their credentials and take forward steps in their career, “we believe that local business and industries that partner with our CTE department build deeper connections with the school and the greater Aledo community,” said Rogers.
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