HUNTER DWORACZYK [email protected]
Taylor Independent School District received a boost in its career and technical education efforts.
Samsung Austin Semiconductor announced a $1 million investment in the district’s CTE program Tuesday, Nov. 14 during the groundbreaking ceremony for Taylor High School’s new CTE building.
Samsung Austin Semiconductor is a local subsidiary of South Korean-based Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
“This new investment from Samsung Austin Semiconductor underscores our shared commitment to the next generation of advanced manufacturing talent,” Taylor ISD superintendent Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen said.
Rachelle Finck, Taylor ISD’s director of behavioral health and student services, said the $1 million check will fund equipment for advanced manufacturing programs of study.
She said this includes industrial systems, precision machining, automation and robotics and welding.
According to a press release from Samsung, the company’s initial investment will help underwrite vital equipment, staff and training needed for classrooms, dual credit labs for coursework, robotics and automation and other manufacturing-related program specific laboratories for the new CTE building, which is targeted for completion in the fall of 2025.
“Eastern Williamson County is growing every day, and more and more careers and opportunities are coming to this area,” Finck said. “The more we can provide resources to receive high quality education in CTE, we are able to turn around and give them an opportunity to stay in Taylor and Williamson County.”
The investment is to help build the talent pipeline needed to support the growing semiconductor ecosystem in Central Texas, the press release said. It is part of its 5-Star Workforce Development Plan.
It will also help the district’s projects at all grade levels, such as a Taylor Middle School computer science initiative called Project Lead the Way.
“We wanted to make sure we were providing access and opportunity to every student at Taylor ISD,” Finck said. “Not just the ones enrolled in specific programs.”
Tuesday’s investment is not the first time Taylor ISD and Samsung have partnered. Since announcing Taylor as the site for a $17 billion manufacturing facility back in November 2021, the company has hosted tours for the students, provided funding for teacher innovation and previously awarded a $250,000 grant.
Additionally, 24 THS students have had the opportunity to intern at Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s Austin campus the last two summers. The internship is paid and is six weeks long,
with the students working 40 hours a week in different departments.
The internship program is expected to continue into Taylor’s campus once it is completed.
Melanie Badillo, currently a senior at THS, was a member of this past summer’s internship class. She specifically interned in the semiconductor’s communication department.
The senior said that the partnership between Taylor and Samsung has been impactful for her, even saying that she hopes to one day work for the company.
“Samsung has done so much for Taylor High School students and for me,” Badillo said. “As one of the students chosen for the internship offered by Samsung, I had the opportunity to see the work environment at the semiconductor in Austin and I loved it … I learned so much and it has prepared me for the future.”
Finck said the district currently offers 52 programs of study, such as audiovisual arts, welding, automotive and construction trades.
