BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS (KVEO NEWS CENTER 23) — A big announcement was made Tuesday morning at the I-Tech Center in Brownsville.
Texas Southmost College and the Brownsville Independent School District are teaming up for a Career and Technical Education Academy.
In the program high school juniors and seniors can earn both high school and college credit as they focus their skills on air conditioning and refrigeration technology.

"Students that are in high school can take up to 24 hours of classes in this area and continue once they are finished in high school, and continue to get their certification at Texas Southmost College and also if they want to get an Associates of Applied Science degree." said Lily Tercero TSC President.

The program is free for the high school students. BISD superintendent Dr. Carl Montoya says this really benefits the students in his school district.

"Heating, air condition, and refrigeration is big in the Valley, there is a need for it, at the same time our students will not just get their high school diploma but the possibility of an Associate’s degree and certification and find employment as soon as they finish." said. Dr. Montoya.

Chris Gracia is TSC student. He has spent the past two semesters at Texas Southmost working to earn his certification to be an Air Condition Tech. He thinks it is great high school students also get this opportunity.

"In this collaboration it’s no longer just adults, it is adults and BISD students and with the technology brought in now that goal of teaching and educating will be that much more efficient." said Gracia.

Around 20 high school students will be part of the program.