{"id":95048,"date":"2026-02-19T20:47:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T23:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotive.einnews.com\/article\/893889958"},"modified":"2026-02-19T20:47:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T23:47:27","slug":"temple-high-school-prepares-students-for-real-world-automotive-careers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/19\/temple-high-school-prepares-students-for-real-world-automotive-careers\/","title":{"rendered":"Temple High School Prepares Students for Real-World Automotive Careers"},"content":{"rendered":"

TEMPLE, Texas (KWTX) – Temple High School\u2019s automotive programs are giving students more than just classroom instruction. They\u2019re providing real-world experience that bridges the gap between education and career readiness.<\/p>\n

As part of Career and Technology Education Month in February, the school\u2019s Automotive Technology and Automotive Paint and Body programs showcase how hands-on training is transforming students\u2019 futures in the automotive industry.<\/p>\n

From Classroom to Competition<\/h2>\n

Chester Williams, a senior pursuing automotive technology, said his passion for the field sets this experience apart from traditional classes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe difference is my passion for it,\u201d Williams said. \u201cI\u2019m not really passionate about English, but this, I\u2019m passionate about. Everything about it is I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Currently, Williams and his classmates are rebuilding an axle for a Ford F-250 as part of their class projects. The project, which they\u2019ll take to competition this week, teaches students the fundamentals while opening doors to scholarships and job opportunities.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so people outside of your school can hear your voice, can see what you do,\u201d Williams explained. \u201cYou\u2019ll get that real world experience. You\u2019ll get those scholarships to help you after school. You\u2019ll get to meet business professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams has earned 15 industry certifications, including HVAC, electrical, brakes, steering and suspension, and transmission specializations. Despite his achievements, he remains focused on continuous improvement.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m thankful for where I\u2019m at and I\u2019m definitely doing good, but we still have a lot to go because those are only entry level certifications,\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n

After graduation, Williams plans to pursue work on generators and power generation systems, potentially even ship engines \u2014 a path that grew from his love of hands-on problem-solving.<\/p>\n

Learning Beyond the Textbook<\/h2>\n

Brian Padilla, also a senior, is focused on automotive paint and body work. He appreciates the practical approach to learning his chosen field.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really nice being able to learn something like this that you could do outside in the real world and get some experience out of it,\u201d Padilla said.<\/p>\n

The students work in a professional-grade paint booth equipped with multiple lights and filtering systems, creating an environment that mirrors real automotive shops. They also gain internship experience at local businesses including a Chevy dealership, SWG in Troy, and Epperson\u2019s Paint and Body in Temple.<\/p>\n

Padilla envisions starting a side business painting vehicles before eventually opening his own shop.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to first start off like a side, like on my own apart,\u201d he said. \u201cI can start off by painting my own truck, my friends, and get my name out there. Get a reputation. Hopefully open one day a shop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Field<\/h2>\n

Jennifer Juarez Partida, a senior in the Automotive Painter Refinishing program, is one of few female students in the program \u2014 and she embraces the challenge.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very much a lot of me having to prove myself,\u201d Partida said. \u201cI like having to constantly prove myself and constantly having to show people that I can do this kind of work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Partida has invested significant time in a restoration project: a 1955 Chevy that has required extensive metal work and body restoration after arriving in severely rusted condition.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many hours put into this. A lot of different students have been put in it,\u201d Partida said of the project, which involves cutting and replacing metal panels, body work, sanding, solvent cleaning, and painting.<\/p>\n

For Partida, the hands-on experience is invaluable compared to traditional classroom learning.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather be out here and physically learning something than being inside of a classroom and learning through books and videos,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is something that you can take with you. I think I would use this my whole life, probably.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her focus after graduation is on custom automotive work \u2014 a specialty that combines technical skill with creativity.<\/p>\n

Real Cars, Real Impact<\/h2>\n

What sets Temple High School\u2019s programs apart is that students don\u2019t just work on practice vehicles. They service real cars belonging to teachers and community members.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe get to work on teacher cars. We get to work on people in the city\u2019s vehicles. Any vehicle that needs to be worked on, we\u2019re able to work on as long as we have the time,\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n

This real-world application provides immediate feedback and genuine purpose to their work.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen people come in here stressed because their cars don\u2019t work, and we get their vehicle running, that just makes my day,\u201d Williams added.<\/p>\n

A Path Forward<\/h2>\n

Temple High School\u2019s Career and Technology Education programs demonstrate how vocational training can prepare students for immediate employment while building professional connections and industry certifications. For students like Williams, Padilla, and Partida, the programs offer more than just a class \u2014 they offer a career foundation and a pathway to success in the automotive industry.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Temple<\/div>
Temple High School Prepares Students for Real-World Automotive Careers<\/span>(Bradley Vaughn)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\"Temple<\/div>
Temple High School Prepares Students for Real-World Automotive Careers<\/span>(Bradley Vaughn)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\"Temple<\/div>
Temple High School Prepares Students for Real-World Automotive Careers<\/span>(Bradley Vaughn)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\"Temple<\/div>
Temple High School Prepares Students for Real-World Automotive Careers<\/span>(Bradley Vaughn)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Copyright 2026 KWTX. All rights reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/strong> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

… February, the school\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Automotive<\/span> Technology and Automotive<\/span> Paint and Body programs … transforming students\u00e2\u0080\u0099 futures in the automotive<\/span> industry. From Classroom to Competition … Prepares Students for Real-World Automotive<\/span> Careers(Bradley Vaughn) Copyright 2026 …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-95048","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95048","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95048"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95048\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95048"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95048"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95048"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}