Texas public high school students can begin preparing for careers ranging from aerospace to life sciences – all while receiving college credits before graduation – under an initiative launched by Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday.

The program will create “Innovative Academies,” which will work within public high schools partnered with higher education programs and businesses to move students into competitive jobs.

“Preparing the next generation of Texans to enter the workforce is paramount to ensuring that both employees and businesses continue to thrive in the Lone Star State,” Abbott said in a statement.
The program, known as the Texas Industry Cluster Innovative Academies, was created as part of Abbott’s tri-agency task force to examine the state’s workforce and economy. In March, Abbott asked the heads of the Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas Workforce Commission to hold meetings with education and business leaders in eight cities and report their findings to the governor’s office.

Read more from the Star-Telegram

Leave a Reply