New program prepares Santa Rosa ISD students for careers in technology field
Related Story
Santa Rosa, TX (KRGV) — Santa Rosa ISD is bringing a new technology program to its high school students for the first time after the district's ACE program received the Dell Student TechCrew Grant.
The program will give students hands-on experience repairing computers and learning IT skills that could help prepare them for future careers. Santa Rosa High School expects to start the program in November 2026, and it will run throughout the school year.
Edgar Altamirano and Harley Esparza are part of the school's ACE program, which gives students career-related skills.
"I want to become more educated in the sense of technology because technology is advancing. We have artificial intelligence. We don't know what the future holds," Altamirano said.
Both students say training can help them stand out, but paying for classes and exercises is not always easy.
"I actually want to study law enforcement, so I think the cybersecurity pathway and the IT pathway would be a really amazing thing," Esparza said.
Dell staff will train two ACE staff members, who will then train students. Through the program, students will also earn an industry-based certification in computer repair.
The program will teach students how to repair and troubleshoot computers and study cybersecurity.
ACE Program Director Sandra Leal said students also will help fix Dell computers at the school, and Dell will help secure parts when needed.
Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande says that training could help students prepare for a job market that needs technology skills. The group says its IT and STEM job fair in September drew more than 300 job seekers, and 18 companies offered more than 265 jobs.
Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande data shows software developers and computer systems analysts are among the fastest-growing fields in the valley. From January through September, the four-county region recorded about 700 openings, and about 200 are still open.
"We don't have to pay out of our own pockets, and I think that's a big advantage for some kids who don't have the money for that," Esparza said.
There is no set capacity limit for students who want to take part.
Watch the video above for the full story.
News
