Plano Independent School District (PISD) announced that its new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center will open in late October. The 150,000‑square‑foot facility, approved in the district’s 2022 bond program and funded by more than $76.7 million of voter‑approved bonds, is “right on schedule,” said Principal Jean Laswell.
Programs and Pathways
The center will house 19 programs organized into nine career pathways: architecture and construction; arts, AV technology and communications; business, marketing and finance; hospitality and tourism; health science; human services; information technology; manufacturing; and transportation, distribution and logistics.
Growing Student Interest
Even as overall district enrollment has declined since the 2010‑11 school year, CTE participation has risen. In the 2019 school year, about 23,000 students were enrolled in CTE courses and earned roughly 1,400 industry‑based certifications. Last year enrollment climbed to about 27,200 students, with nearly 4,100 certifications awarded, while total district enrollment fell by almost 9,000 students.
Laswell explained that PISD is introducing CTE concepts earlier, allowing elementary and middle‑school students to explore career pathways before high school.
Future‑Ready Design
The building’s design emphasizes flexibility. “It was all about how we can make those spaces as fluid as possible,” Laswell said, noting that the center can adapt to new equipment and evolving workforce needs.
Community Partnerships
PISD worked with local industry and community partners to identify high‑demand, high‑wage careers. One notable addition is a radiology program, developed in collaboration with Collin College and local health‑care providers. The district will be the first in the Dallas‑Fort Worth area to offer radiology through a high school CTE program.
Credit Union of Texas will also partner with the district to operate a student‑run Smart Branch bank on site.
Public Access
Sections of the CTE Center will be open to the public in the coming months, providing services delivered by students. “This is a building that is going to provide opportunities for our kids, but also services for our community,” said CTE Director Karen Buechman.
The new center represents a significant investment in workforce development and aims to equip Plano’s youth with the skills needed for tomorrow’s jobs while strengthening ties between schools, businesses, and the broader community.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Richardson — read the source article.
