BEAUMONT, Texas — Thanks to a 2022 bond, Bridge City High School is working to bridge the gap between graduation and entering the workforce.
Back in 2022 voters in the district passed a school bond that included a $14.7 million career and technology education building.
"It's just a real exciting time to be a Bridge City Cardinal," said superintendent Mike Kelly. "The community sees the value of what we're doing."
The district’s Career and technology education programs include pipefitting, welding, and even a floral design class.
“They're able to leave and go straight into some of our surrounding businesses," Kelly said.
Soon, the programs will all live under one roof, that Kelly says is designed for students’ success.
“They get to work on the type of equipment that they're going to work on in the workplace," he said. "We're giving them real life situations and scenarios."
There's more than what meets the eye when it comes to these programs according to career and technology education director Lindy Welborn.
"In almost every program, we've got somebody who has been in the real world in that field doing it and they're taking that skill and bringing it to the classroom," Welborn said. "So it's not just a teacher talking about it, it's somebody who's actually lived that."
With an estimated opening date of January 2025 the foundation is being laid for the success of future Bridge City Cardinals according to officials.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.