Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area Launches 2025 Teacher Externship Program to Strengthen Career and Technical Education
Apr 29, 2025
WSRCA Team
CEDAR PARK, Texas ⎯ Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA), the nonprofit community partnership delivering innovative and sustainable workforce development solutions to empower the nine-county Rural Capital Area of Central Texas, is proud to announce the launch of its 2025 Teacher Externship Program, an innovative initiative aimed at strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) in middle and high schools throughout the Rural Capital Area. With support from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), this program provides CTE teachers and counselors with valuable, hands-on industry experience, enabling them to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and the practical skills needed in today’s workforce.
In 2024, 141 teachers from 7 Independent School Districts participated in the program, partnering with 7 local chambers and 112 businesses. This year, WSRCA plans to build on that success by expanding the program to include even more teachers, businesses, and sectors.
The program allows teachers to spend 5 days on-site with local industry partners, observing operations, learning key workforce skills, and gaining insights that will inform their curriculum. Afterward, teachers will create a lesson plan incorporating these industry skills, which they’ll share with their students and fellow educators. Teachers who complete the program will receive a $1,000 stipend.
"The externship was the best, most beneficial and meaningful time I've ever spent. The amount of knowledge and real world application I can integrate into my classroom will inspire life long learners." — 2024 Teacher Externship Participant
Interested educators or businesses can contact their local chamber of commerce within the nine counties of the Rural Capital Area to learn more about participation opportunities. For additional information, contact Laura Richter at laura.richter@ruralcapital.net.
The Teacher Externship Program is made possible through a collaborative partnership between WSRCA, local industry leaders, chambers of commerce, and educational institutions.
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About WSRCA:
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area is a nonprofit community partnership providing no-cost recruitment, employment services, and early-learning child care tuition scholarships to empower
businesses, employers, and job seekers in the Rural Capital Area of Central Texas. This nine-county region includes Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, and Williamson counties. For more details on WSRCA and the services it offers, visit www.workforcesolutionsrca.com.
