ESAs and CTE: Empowering Our Kids to Work

Every parent’s top priority in life is to protect, provide for, and prepare their child to launch into a happy and successful life. But happiness and success look different for every child – I know my 3 kiddos could not be more different in what brings them happiness. This is why it's so important that we give our kids options in their pursuit of purpose and joy.

For some of our kids, success looks like going off to college or pursuing advanced degrees. For others, it's to get a jumpstart in the “real world” while still in high school, often by pursuing careers that allow them to work with their hands and make a good wage immediately after graduation. The antiquated “4-year college for all” mentality has proven to be a waste of time and money for millions of people. Parents have woken up to the reality that high paying careers without a 4-year degree can often be the best choice for their child. 

That’s why I was so excited when I joined dozens of parents and industry experts this week to tour an amazing school that has become the leader in educating the next generation of Texans entrusted to build, maintain, and repair the backbone of the Texas Miracle: the Texas State Technical College (TSTC). With 11 campuses across our great state, TSTC teaches hands-on trades disciplines like HVAC, electricity, oil, and plumbing – all courses that can be completed while kids are still finishing their high school diploma! 

Can you imagine how incredible it will be when Texas high school students can utilize their Education Savings Account to pursue these high paying careers and complete their certification or associates degree by the time they graduate high school? We’re talking NO DEBT for kids and starting wages between $40,000 and $90,000 right out of high school.

Why are ESAs so important to families and Texas? Well, did you know that, across Texas, it is projected that we'll be short by over 4,000 HVAC techs, 7,000 plumbers, and 10,000 electricians? Watch this video about how Education Savings Accounts can save the heartland of Texas, provide opportunities for so many kids, and how this mother “wishes there is more that I can do to help him!”

Businesses are clamoring for more skilled workers and they are willing to pay BIG MONEY to get them! Education Savings Accounts are the key to empowering parents with choices, including pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE) at our amazing community colleges.  

ESAs will unlock opportunities for thousands of Texas kids who don’t want to go into debt pursuing a 4-year degree. In fact, over 90% of Texas students are within a half-hour drive of a higher education institution like our great community or career colleges such as TSTC. ​

When Education Savings Accounts are passed next year, Texas parents can help their students use the flexible funding for any number of approved expenses—including learning a trade at a community college or career and technical college while they finish their high school diploma. That's right, students could graduate from high school not just with a high school diploma, but with an in-demand certificate in competitive trades like electrician, plumber, or oil and gas worker. ​

To hammer the point home on how ESAs can be a lifeline to so many Texas kids, in 2019, 32% of high school graduates were not in higher education, the military, or the workforce a mere 6 months after graduation. Most of those students were young males. To address this growing crisis of underemployment or unemployment, particularly for our sons, we must empower parents with ESAs!

Now, more than ever, our kids need ESAs and the flexibility in schooling that they provide—not just for 4-year university-bound students, but for all students who will go on to keep the Texas Miracle thriving.

It's time to empower Texas students and parents, and, in doing so, empower the Texas economy to reach new heights!