Building Stronger Communities: Laughlin AFB and Del Rio CTE Partner to Advance Youth Training

Strategic Insights -

Laughlin Air Force Base (AFB) in Texas has been actively fostering a strong relationship with its surrounding community, with a particular focus on providing opportunities for local youth to gain valuable training, career experience, and insight into the Air Force environment. One of the key initiatives driving this partnership is the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center in Del Rio, which offers a comprehensive training program for high school students. In a recent move to further solidify this collaboration, Laughlin AFB hosted a tour for community members from the CTE Center, showcasing various base agencies and exploring potential new career paths for students.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Career and Technical Education (CTE) program in Del Rio offers 14 courses to high school students, providing them with hands-on training, certifications, and even college credits.
  • The Grown Your Own program, run by the 47th Maintenance Directorate, has been highly successful, with over 45% of maintenance personnel at Laughlin AFB coming through the program.
  • The Grow Your Own program provides students with the opportunity to work side by side with employees of the base, learning about aircraft maintenance, flight line management, and other essential skills.
  • Students who participate in the Grow Your Own program are eligible to earn an Associate's Degree upon graduation, as well as secure a job at Laughlin AFB or join the military.
  • Rene Martinez, T-38C Talon Maintenance Division Director and CTE program class 1993 graduate, emphasized the program's potential: "There is a lot of potential, the CTE program has 14 courses available to the students, and if we can give them hands-on training at Laughlin as well, it will be a huge help on both ends."

Statistics:

  • Over 45% of the maintenance directorate at Laughlin Air Force Base have come through the Grow Your Own program.
  • The CTE program offers 14 courses to high school students in Del Rio.
  • The Grow Your Own program provides students with the opportunity to earn an Associate's Degree upon graduation.
  • The CTE-led program promotes the recruitment of students to join the military after graduation.

Sources:

  • Laughlin Air Force Base, "Building stronger communities: Laughlin AFB and Del Rio CTE partner to advance youth training," May 6 [Article title and date not provided in source].

Note: The original text does not include the exact date of publication, therefore, it was not included in the source material.