Family, friends celebrated work of 23 high school students in Los Mesteños Career Academy at Recognition Ceremony held at DMC’s Windward Campus on June 18 (VIDEO)
Program is a partnership between LMCA, Del Mar College that provides rural students exposure to career pathways in occupational opportunities, such as construction training
Article by: Richard Guerrero, Jr.
It’s never too early to begin developing career-oriented skills, especially if you’re a high school student in rural South Texas where job prospects can be often challenging for experienced workers. To help students learn skills that are a good fit for employers in the region, the Rural
South Texas Economic Development Corporation created Los Mesteños Career Academy in 2008. The academy works to create community and regional partnerships, including one with Del Mar College, to provide career-training opportunities that otherwise would not be available.
The Los Mesteños Career Academy sponsors rural high schools such as Rivera, Falfurrias, and Premont High School, providing students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at Del Mar College while earning a paycheck. Through the program, students develop carpentry skills and gain real-world work experience while earning a real-world credential.
Nicole Ramon, Del Mar College (DMC) DMC Program Manager-Industry Training, Continuing Education and Off-Campus Programs, says DMC’s Career & Industry Training department recently hosted 23 students from rural high schools, including Premont, Rivera and Falfurrias, at Windward Campus.
The program held a Recognition Ceremony on June 18 to celebrate the accomplishments of the cohort during the training period. Joshua Rojas, South Texas Regional Director for U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, assisted in the presentation of certificates.
During their time on campus, students participated in hands-on construction training, gaining valuable practical skills and exposure to career pathways in the industry. In addition to this experience, students will earn an Industry-Recognized Construction Credential through the Home Builders Institute.
“Through this collaboration, Del Mar College provides students with early exposure to construction and technical career pathways, along with hands-on training, industry experience, and the opportunity to earn recognized credentials,” Ramon said. “This partnership strengthens the connection between education and workforce development while supporting student access to career-focused training opportunities.”
The program is managed by Crystal Ramirez-Garcia, LMCA Executive Director, and Rebecca Salinas, Director of Career and Industry Training. For more information, call 361-698-2163 or email nramon@delmar.edu.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.
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