NEISD Agriscience Magnet Program students train for top dollar trade careers
The mechanics and fabrication laboratory in North East ISD’s Agriscience Magnet Program (AMP) is part workshop and part classroom.
The 120,000 square-foot facility, housed on the Madison High School campus, welcomes students who have their sights set on the future.
“A lot of the things that we do is like welding, which I personally find really interesting,” Anthony Chacon said.
The 18-year-old is one of the AMP students who takes advantage of asynchronous learning time by practicing welding and power mechanics in small groups for one hour per week.
“It’s personally a lot better being able to be here and work hands-on because it gives you a better learning experience and you have more knowledge and more competent in working,” Chacon explained.
This week, Chacon spent his lab time designing a U.S. Army logo featuring his dad’s badge number using a plasma cutter.
He hopes learning these trade skills will give him an edge after high school.
“My plan is to go to the military. After the military, I’m going to go to college for a bit then eventually get a career doing this stuff,” the senior said.
More and more students are looking toward career opportunities in production welding and machining, many of which pay top dollar, according to AMP teacher Jared Rode.
Rode has been teaching in North East ISD for a total of eight years and has a background in diesel mechanics and fabrication.
“The typical welder can make anywhere from $40k-$60k a year without a college education which is very enticing for these kids because they get out of school debt-free and can go into a job that is making money,” Rode explained.
He said advanced welders who work in the oil fields or refineries often earn around $90,000 per year.
He also said that jobs in advanced machining work at fabrication firms like Holt Caterpillar pay upwards of $70,000 per year.
Though many of these Agriscience Engineering career paths are traditionally male-dominated, Rode said that’s changing too.
“It’s very good to see some of these girls come into these classes and one, not be intimidated, and two, actually flourish in these jobs,” he added.
Many of his students have gone on to be extremely successful in the industry.
“Amanda Michou, she was actually a student of mine-, she went on to be a fabrication welder who made parts for space shuttles,” Rode said.
Rode said he is proud to be teaching our next generation of workers.
“I sought out a job where I could bring my education in diesel and my knowledge in the actual live-work environment to better society. So, I actually discovered Agricultural teaching and I was like alright that’s the fit for me and I’ve been doing it ever since!”
Because #NEISDcares!
