$145K Chevron donation to help develop career pathways for Carlsbad students
A $145,000 donation from Chevron is helping to launch innovative career pathways for Carlsbad High School students in high-demand, high-wage energy and natural resources fields.
Announced during the fall of 2022, the donation supports the planning and development of Carlsbad Municipal School District’s new Energy and Natural Resources Pathway.
For the last three years, the school district has been working to redesign Carlsbad High from a large, traditional school setting to smaller learning communities designed around career academies.
Academies include the Academy of Arts, A/V & Communications, the Academy of Business Information Technology, the Academy of Health and Human Services and the Academy of STEM & Industrial Sciences, according to the district.
Chevron’s recent investment will support the new Energy and Natural Resources Pathway that will be housed in the STEM & Industrial Science Academy. The pathway enables students to take industry-related courses, attain work-based experiences and also certifications and credentials, the district said.
The pathway enables students to take industry-related courses, attain work-based experiences and also certifications and credentials.
The first Energy Pathways meeting held in November involving the Chamber of Commerce, Carlsbad School District and industry partners. (Photo courtesy of Carlsbad Municipal Schools)
“The concept of a school within a school model creates a more personalized learning environment for students,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gerry Washburn.
When students learn skills aligned to their career interests, they are “one step closer to being prepared for their future,” added Mark McCulley, Chevron’s Delaware Basin Operations Superintendent, and a member of the CMS Energy Pathways Steering Committee.
“Chevron is proud to support the development of the Energy and Natural Resources Pathway, to help prepare Carlsbad students for career opportunities that provide the affordable and reliable energy the world needs,” McCulley said.
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway said the new pathway “will also fit in line” with similar developments at the college. The CMS Energy Pathways Steering Committee is concurrently working with the Southeast New Mexico Community College in developing its industry/energy pathway and training center.
“We appreciate Chevron’s very generous donation,” Janway said.
