Dallas ISD is expanding career‑technical education by joining forces with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) on a new High School Student Bus Maintenance Externship Program. The initiative, part of DISD’s Automotive Technician Program of Study, will place fourteen senior students with DART bus‑maintenance technicians for a semester‑long, real‑world apprenticeship.
Program details and learning focus
Students will rotate through core maintenance tasks, including vehicle inspections, engine fundamentals and climate‑system servicing. By working side‑by‑side with seasoned mechanics, participants gain the practical skills that employers demand in today’s diesel‑mechanic market.
Why the partnership matters
“DART recognizes just how important it is to support education in the region, and to cultivate the next generation of diesel maintenance mechanics,” said Trenise Winters, DART Chief Operations Officer. “Our expansive fleet of vehicles and professional mechanics are available for Dallas ISD students to expand their experience.” Winters added that the collaboration also helps address the current workforce shortage of diesel‑maintenance mechanics.
Oswaldo Alvarenga, Dallas ISD Deputy Chief of Strategic Initiatives, echoed the sentiment: “Our students grow the most when they’re in the real world solving real problems. Partnering with DART is a meaningful way to support the next generation of skilled technicians while creating immediate, hands‑on impact for our students in high‑demand career pathways.”
Local leaders weigh in
At a Tuesday press conference, DART Chairman Randall Bryant emphasized the long‑term benefits. “If we are serious about innovation, we have to ask ourselves a different question. Are we simply preparing DART for the future, or are we preparing the people who will lead DART into the future? This partnership with Dallas ISD allows us to do both,” he said.
Ben Jones, Executive Director of Dallas ISD’s Conrad Feeder Pattern, reported early excitement from students. “One student told me, ‘I’m not just getting a job out of this, I’m getting a career.’ He noted that the starting wage for a diesel mechanic can begin at $33 an hour, giving graduates a real paycheck and a clear career trajectory,” Jones said.
Impact on the community
The program aligns with Dallas ISD’s broader effort to expand vocational pathways that lead to stable, well‑paying jobs for young people. By linking education directly to a major regional employer, the partnership reinforces family stability and economic growth—core values that strengthen neighborhoods.
Both DART and DISD anticipate that the externship will serve as a model for future collaborations with other technical schools and industry partners, further expanding opportunities for Dallas youth.
Looking ahead
The first cohort will begin this fall, with plans to increase the number of participants in subsequent semesters if demand remains strong. DART and DISD will monitor outcomes, including job placement rates and student satisfaction, to refine the program and ensure it continues to meet the needs of both the transit system and the community.
For more information about the High School Student Bus Maintenance Externship Program, students and parents can contact Dallas ISD’s Career and Technical Education office or visit the DART website.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
