September 1, 2005
Tech Prep Partnership of Del Mar College, CCAD and Flour Bluff ISD Hitting
National Spotlight on Time Warner Cable’s Channel 56 on Sept. 5
“The Winners Circle, hosted by Terry Bradshaw” to feature students
getting hands-on experience in aviation maintenance technology while completing
high school requirements
On a hot day in June, a camera crew from Broadcast News Corporation came to
Corpus Christi to film interviews and footage of current and former Flour Bluff
High School students working at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). The result
of their work will air on national television on Monday, Sept. 5.
“The Winners Circle, hosted by Terry Bradshaw” will focus on the Tech
Prep partnership among Del Mar College, CCAD and the Flour Bluff Independent
School District that trains high school students in aviation maintenance technology.
Among the interviews, the segment includes current Flour Bluff student Chris
Knandel and graduate Angie Rackley, who currently participates in the College’s
Co-Op program.
The two-minute segment will air on Time Warner Cable’s Channel 56 sometime
between 6:45 and 7:30 a.m. For more information about “The Winners Circle”
and the network that airs the segment, go to broadcastnewscorp.com.
The Sept. 5 segment features the two students, who are getting hands-on experience
in repairing helicopters at the depot while also completing high school and
college requirements. The segment will also cover how the local Tech-Prep initiative
• meets the workforce needs of CCAD.
• pairs higher education and primary education with industry.
• impacts the Corpus Christi economy.
In general, the College’s Tech Prep programs promote education in technical
careers among area high school students to cultivate an academically and technically
skilled workforce that meets the demands of the Coastal Bend’s economy.
The partnership among Del Mar College, CCAD and Flour Bluff ISD specifically
helps qualified Flour Bluff High School juniors and seniors complete their education
while getting their career training in aviation maintenance technology off the
ground at the same time.
The program began in fall 2001 and resulted from CCAD’s need to address
an aging workforce nearing retirement. Flour Bluff juniors and seniors work
part-time at the depot acquiring a working knowledge of basic electronics and
aircraft systems and components as well as learning to perform major repairs
on aircraft engines and airframes.
-DMC-mce