Texas Border Business
By Veronica Salinas
As Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month comes to a close, South Texas College (STC) is highlighting the powerful role its programs play in transforming lives while strengthening the Rio Grande Valley’s (RGV) workforce.
Observed each February, CTE Month is a national celebration recognizing the value of career and technical education and the achievements of students, faculty and industry partners. The month highlights how hands-on training, industry-aligned curriculum and workforce partnerships prepare students for in-demand careers that directly support local and national economies.
Across industries such as Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive Technology, Construction Trades, Public Safety and Business, CTE programs at STC are designed to meet immediate labor market demands while preparing students for long-term career growth.
“CTE is important everywhere, but in our region it’s especially critical because the labor market demand is real and immediate,” said Interim Dean for the Division of Business, Public Safety and Technology Jose Vela. “If you simply drive around the RGV and look at the growth we’ve experienced and continue to experience, it’s clear there are jobs that need to be filled. CTE provides a direct pathway for students to move into high-paying careers in a relatively short amount of time.”
Vela emphasized that the impact of CTE extends beyond employment statistics.
“CTE programs create opportunity,” he said. “Whether it’s a recent high school graduate, a working adult looking to upskill, or someone ready for a career change, these programs provide a clear and affordable pathway into stable, well-paying careers. That kind of access to meaningful employment doesn’t just impact the individual, it strengthens families and supports the economic growth of our entire region.”
To ensure programs remain aligned with industry needs, STC maintains strong partnerships with local employers.
“All of our programs maintain strong connections with local industry partners,” he said. “Many of these partners serve on our advisory committees, which meet each semester and provide direct input on curriculum, equipment and workforce trends.”
He added that investing in ongoing professional development ensures students graduate with skills that anticipate industry demands.
“I believe the college should always be a few steps ahead of industry,” he said. “When employers begin asking for specific skill sets, our students already have them.”
Through the Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships (CATA), STC further bridges the gap between education and employment by offering customized workforce training and registered apprenticeships programs.
“We develop customized training programs based on the current workforce needs of our regional business and industry partners,” said Dean for the Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships Carlos Margo, Ph.D. “Needs assessments are conducted with employers prior to any training being developed or implemented. Our training curricula is aligned with actual job duties and responsibilities.”
Margo explained that registered apprenticeships are particularly effective in meeting immediate workforce demands in high-skills industries.
“Registered apprenticeship programs combine rigorous classroom instruction with paid, relevant work experience,” he said. “Apprentices are simultaneously applying on the job what they are learning in the classroom. While apprentices are gaining new skills, employers benefit from having an employee receiving continuous training for sustainable long-term employment.”
In manufacturing, one of the region’s fastest-growing sectors, faculty see firsthand how CTE fuels economic development.
“Advanced manufacturing is critical to the region’s growth because it drives economic competitiveness, innovation and workforce development all at once,” said Advanced Manufacturing Technology faculty member Alberto Farias. “This attracts new businesses, encourages existing companies to expand and helps the region compete in a global economy.”
For Farias, the most meaningful impact is watching students evolve into confident professionals.
“The most rewarding part of training the next generation of skilled workers is seeing students grow from learning basic concepts to confidently applying their skills in real-world settings,” he said. “Watching them gain problem-solving abilities, technical competence and professional confidence is especially meaningful because those skills directly translate into career opportunities and economic mobility.”
As CTE month concludes, STC reaffirms its commitment to providing hands-on, industry-driven education that equips students with the skills needed to succeed, while ensuring the RGV continues to grow, compete and thrive.
