Tyler ISD performs hand in passage of scholar plumbing training invoice
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — Tyler ISD had a helping hand in passing new legislation that will allow high school students to be licensed as a Tradesman Limited Plumber after taking the required amount of CTE plumbing courses in high school and subsequently passing the state board examination .
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This revolutionary opportunity for students was made possible by Texas House Rep. Matt Schaefer, who added the amendment to HB 636 during this year’s legislative session. Now, the bill is law and students can easily be trained in plumbing in high school and immediately join the industry upon graduation.
“We cut the red tape that had closed doors for students to learn the plumbing trade in public schools. Now, the plumbing trade will open to thousands of students who will be able to turn that training into success immediately. Restoring real-world skills training to students and giving them more options to succeed is good for all Texans. Tyler ISD was instrumental in helping me pass this law. We are seeing interest in starting plumbing courses in public schools all over Texas, and we are excited.”
Rep. Matt Schaefer
Gary Brown, executive director of college and career for Tyler ISD, was also instrumental in the passage and implementation of the new law. “I testified in Austin at a committee hearing in support of Rep. Schaefer’s legislation,” Brown said. “Once the bill became law, I worked with Rep. Schaefer’s team, Texas Education Association (TEA), State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC), State Board of Education (SBOE), and the Texas State Plumbing Board of Examiners (TSBPE) to develop the implementation plan.”
Prior to the bill’s passage, anyone seeking a plumbers license was required to complete a minimum of 4,000 hours working under a master plumber to be eligible to take the test. However, under the new program created by the bill, Tyler ISD can provide classroom training and work-based learning experiences in high school.
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Brent McDonald, owner of Rub-A-Dub Plumbing in Tyler, also tested in support of the legislation. McDonald is on the Tyler ISD Career and Technology Education (CTE) Executive Advisory Board that provides industry insight and gives feedback on curriculum, instruction, and equipment to Tyler ISD.
“We are thrilled that these future plumbers will be stepping into a high-demand, high-wage career,” said Brown. We will offer four levels of study with classes taught by a Master Plumber.”
The new CTE plumbing program will be open to students beginning in fall 2022.
For more information, contact Jennifer Hines at Jennifer.Hines@TylerISD.org
