photos courtesy of GISD Communications
Georgetown ISD’s CTE programs prepare students for high-skill careers — and a strong local workforce
Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Georgetown looks very different from what many adults remember as “vocational school.”
Today’s Future-Ready programs introduce students to robotics, advanced manufacturing systems, healthcare technology, culinary arts, and dozens of other high-demand careers, often using the same equipment and industry standards they will encounter in the workforce.
With 24 career pathways available, GISD’s CTE programs are a major part of the student experience. In fact, district data show 98.9 percent of students scheduled to graduate in the 2025–26 school year have participated in at least one CTE course. The goal is simple: prepare students for real opportunities after graduation, whether that means entering the workforce, earning certifications, or continuing their education.
“Career and technical education looks different today than what many people remember,” says Bretton Schulz, Director of CTE Programs. “We’re not preparing students to operate machines on an assembly line. We’re preparing technicians and programmers who understand how complex systems work and how to fix them when they don’t.”
HANDS-ON INDUSTRY LEARNING
Students on the newly-launched Advanced Manufacturing pathway get direct exposure to the technologies driving today’s industrial economy. In the classroom (above), they learn to work with robotics systems, automation technology, electrical circuits, and industrial controls, developing technical knowledge and the critical thinking skills needed in modern workplaces.
“Manufacturing is the subject or field where you try something, find out what went wrong, try again, and make a new mistake,” says senior Jed Ellis, describing the trial-and-error learning process that drives many classroom projects. And senior Aiden Sullivan says teamwork is just as important as technical skill. “Our manufacturing class is about teamwork and problem-solving,” he explains. “Whether we’re wiring AC and DC circuits or getting a robotic arm to move, we learn from what goes wrong and improve it together.”
Manufacturing teacher Terri Henry says the classroom environment is intentionally designed to mirror real manufacturing settings. “In the Advanced Manufacturing classroom, students collaborate and problem-solve in ways that reflect real-world manufacturing environments,” she says. “They’re developing the technical and employability skills needed for today’s workforce.”
STRONGER COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
A key part of the administration’s approach is collaboration with local industry. Through the Georgetown Manufacturing Alliance, the district works with the Chamber of Commerce, city leaders, and manufacturers to ensure programs align with real workforce needs.
Companies like CelLink and other regional manufacturers help provide industry insight, guest speakers, and potential work-based learning opportunities. “The Advanced Manufacturing Program of Study reflects what can happen when education and industry work hand-in-hand,” says Dee Marrs, Vice President of Human Resources at CelLink.
“Students are gaining early exposure to the technologies and expectations that exist in today’s manufacturing careers.”
The results are already visible. In the 2024–25 school year, Georgetown students earned 1,277 industry certifications, including credentials in automotive technology, culinary arts, veterinary tech, healthcare assistants, and more.
Many certifications come at no cost to students, and the administration is committed to helping remove barriers for families and giving graduates an immediate advantage in the workforce.
Preparing Students and Georgetown for the future
Communications Director Melinda Brasher says the benefits extend beyond individual students. As Georgetown continues to grow, strong CTE programs help attract new employers and support a skilled local workforce.
“We focus on programs that reflect high-need, high-wage jobs in our community,” Bretton says. “Our goal is to make sure students graduate with skills that translate directly into real opportunities.”
With advanced facilities, strong partnerships, and nearly every student gaining hands-on experience, Georgetown ISD’s CTE programs are helping build a future where students can live, work, and succeed in the very community where they grew up.