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Laughlin and SFDR-CISD expand partnership, bolstering CTE

  • Published
  • By Janette Gomez
  • Laughlin Air Force Base School Liaison Program
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  

Laughlin and community partners recently expanded their on-going collaboration with the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District (SFDR-CISD) Career and Technical Education (CTE) program providing high school juniors and seniors with invaluable hands-on learning experiences. 

A key component of the partnership is the expansion of the 47th Maintenance Directorate’s “Grow Your Own Program,” which was designed to create a local pipeline for the base’s civilian workforce by providing students specialized maintenance training.  

Building on past success, the installation has expanded its school district programs to include new collaborations with Chugach Government Solutions Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), and electrical units within the 47th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES). 

“We have seen the benefits and outcome of the Maintenance ‘Grow Your Own Program’ that has been established for the last 50 years,” said Janette Gomez, Laughlin Air Force Base school liaison program manager. “This program thrives on the partnership between SFDR-CISD and Laughlin. The goal now is to expand additional CTE pathways to promote opportunity and build a future workforce here at Laughlin.” 

The new initiative, driven by the partnership between the 47th CES and the CTE Engineering pathway, has already yielded significant results, offering students the unique opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, directly contributing to their college, career and military readiness.  

“We have made connections with the faculty to collaborate on student opportunities such as the Society of American Military Engineers summer camps that are offered at the Air Force Academy and other DoW installations nationwide, of which four students have applied for from SFDR-CISD.” said Zachary Engel, 47th CES project manager.  

One goal of the program expansion is to raise awareness of the diverse career opportunities available at Laughlin, not only in the civilian workforce but within the military. By showcasing the wide range of civilian and military fields, the program aims to inspire the next generation of skilled professionals and service members. 

“I strongly believe hands-on CTE learning is essential, it builds confidence, technical skill, and problem-solving ability in ways traditional instruction cannot,” said Joe Wheeler, SFDR-CISD HVAC instructor. “This collaboration provides students with meaningful exposure to career pathways and helps prepare a future workforce.” 

The collaboration between Laughlin and SFDR-CISD is a prime example of how community partnerships can create meaningful opportunities for students, fostering a skilled workforce and a brighter future for the entire community.  

For more information on the CTE partnership program at Laughlin, contact the School Liaison Program Office at 47FSS.FSY.SLO@us.af.mil.