Katy ISD highlights REINS Academy's career pathways, including water-operator and CDL programs

Katy ISD trustees heard an update on REINS Academy's innovative program offerings Monday, including workforce-focused pathways that district leaders say are already producing job offers and paid internships for students.

Kelly Carrillo, principal of the innovative-pathways complex, outlined programs that include a water-operator licensing partnership with Inframark (31 students this year, multiple job offers at a signing ceremony), CDL and forklift training, a dual-credit real-estate licensing course with HCC, and an underground-utilities program with USIC that will offer paid internships and potential employment. "Our students are getting paid internships and job offers," Carrillo said, adding that programs are designed to meet regional workforce needs.

The board praised the programs' alignment with local labor demand and noted the potential to scale certain offerings. Trustees also highlighted connections between attendance-boundary growth and the need for trained local workers as new development proceeds in the northwest quadrant.

Next steps: Administrators said they will continue to expand partnerships with private firms to develop pipelines for students into local infrastructure and trades jobs, and to refine transportation and scheduling options to support student participation.