CEN Special Programs

CEN is excited to serve as the intermediary in two Texas Regional Pathways Networks. In February, Roscoe Collegiate ISD received funding from Texas House Bill 1525 to plan a renewable energy pathway network with Roscoe Collegiate ISD, Hamlin Collegiate ISD, and Floydada Collegiate ISD. They also received funds to implement an advanced manufacturing pathway network with Roscoe Collegiate ISD, Hamlin Collegiate ISD, and Throckmorton Collegiate ISD. The grant for both initiatives totaled $1,125,000, the bulk of which will be used to create advanced manufacturing labs with state-of-the-art equipment, furniture, and instructional materials. Funds have also been set aside to build a mobile manufacturing lab to provide training to teachers as well as exposure to students in elementary and middle school. Nearly $100,000 is allotted to the purchase of renewable energy training materials.

These two Texas Regional Pathways Networks are intended to be a collaboration of school districts, higher education, and industry in order to create all-encompassing pathways meeting the needs for students to learn employability and technical skills in renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. The initiative is intended to be industry-led. Therefore we invite the feedback of our industry partners each month. We encourage the schools to plan work-based learning opportunities with employers. The schools also create pathways that will culminate in an industry-based certification, level 1 or 2 post-secondary certificate, associate degree, and bachelor’s degree thus providing multiple levels of opportunity to students.