Oct. 24, 2022 - The future is here, and students in the Comal Independent School District just gained an advantage as well as a partner in their own futures. Technology company Continental recently opened a state-of-the-art automotive manufacturing facility in the district’s backyard and donated $10,000 to the district’s career and technical education (CTE) manufacturing program.
In addition, Continental offered behind-the-scenes tours of the new facility first to Canyon High School students who are enrolled in the district’s robotics and engineering courses and then to CHS teachers.
“As we continue to offer our students a wide variety of CTE programs, this type of partnership exposes them to real-world application of the skills they learn in class,” says Mandy Epley, assistant superintendent for Comal ISD. “We are grateful for Continental’s commitment to the community and to supporting education that allows our students to engage with future careers.”
About 20 students along with their CTE teacher Robert Harms toured the new facility in New Braunfels earlier this month. This facility is the company’s first greenfield plant to be built in the United States and is dedicated to their autonomous mobility business. Continental plans to fill this facility with 500 employees over the next few years, which is exciting for students looking to begin their careers.
“This experience, touring a facility like this one, shows my students what potential jobs are available to them,” says Harms, who has been teaching for five years and worked in industrial engineering and technology prior to teaching. “This gives them insight into the manufacturing process.
“Partnerships and experiences like this one are important for high school students because it gives them an opportunity to experience the real world from a work perspective.”
Thank you, Continental!
-Canyon High School students enrolled in robotics and engineering along with their teacher toured the new Continental manufacturing plant Friday, Oct. 7.
-At Continental’s dedication ceremony, Sept. 28, the manufacturing company presented a $10,000 donation to Comal ISD. Accepting the donation on the district’s behalf were assistant superintendent of communications Steve Stanford and director of career and technical education Renee Martinez.
-Canyon High School students, Logan Fuschich and Luke Fleming try their hand at moving a robotic arm during their tour of the Continental manufacturing facility.