Release by Region 8 Education Service Center
The Northeast Texas Career Alliance (NTCA) is a collaborative pilot program uniting five school districts, Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC), and local industry partners to offer specialized career pathways for students. This innovative program gives access to high-demand fields designed to meet the evolving needs of Northeast Texas industries.
By combining classroom learning, hands-on training, soft-skills development, and work-based learning with local employers, NTCA ensures that graduates have both technical knowledge and real-world experience to support the economic growth of our region. Whether students plan to enter the workforce directly after high school with an industry-recognized certificate or continue their education toward an associate or bachelor’s degree, NTCA provides a strong foundation for future success.
NTCA is a collaboration between Chapel Hill ISD, Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD, Harts Bluff ISD, Hughes Springs ISD, and Pewitt CISD, Region 8 Education Service Center, Northeast Texas Community College, and Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas.
This cooperative initiative showcases the power of regional collaboration, bringing together school districts, higher education institutions, and workforce leaders to create transformative opportunities that prepare students for future success while fueling the economic growth of Northeast Texas.
NTCA programs offer students in participating districts the opportunity to earn Level 1 certificates and microcredentials while experiencing hands-on work-based learning through partnerships with local businesses and industries. By combining classroom learning with real-world industry exposure, students graduate not only with credentials but also with the confidence and connections needed to immediately enter the workforce or continue their education.
“We are incredibly proud of how this innovative programming could transform career preparation for students across Northeast Texas. When small, rural schools partner with industry, they have the opportunity to create amazing opportunities for their students that would be much more difficult to do alone,” said Heather McGregor, Deputy Executive Director of Region 8 Education Service Center. “With the support and efforts of Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas, Northeast Texas Community College, and industry partners, we’re ensuring that our students have the skills and experiences they need to succeed in high-demand, livable-wage careers that support our local economy.”
The NTCA currently offers programs in:
- Programming & Software Development – Preparing students for careers in software engineering, IT, and coding through hands-on coding labs and real-world technology projects.
- Industrial Maintenance – Providing training in electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing systems, preparing students for in-demand roles in advanced manufacturing and skilled trades.
- Business Management: Logistics – Equipping students with the organizational, management, and logistics skills essential for careers in supply chain management, project management, and business operations.
Each pathway provides a clear bridge from high school to a local career, with industry partners offering mentorship, internships, and exposure to the latest technologies and workplace expectations. Students leave with not only credentials but with the experiences and professional networks that will help them thrive.
This pilot program is not only building a stronger workforce pipeline, it’s also a model for innovative, collaborative programming that can be replicated across the state. By aligning educational opportunities directly with regional workforce needs, NTCA and its partners are ensuring that students are future-ready and that local industries have access to the skilled talent they need to thrive.
For more information about the NTCA collaborative initiative or to explore how to get involved, contact Heather McGregor; hmcgregor@reg8.net.
