Feel Good Story: Tomball ISD CTE Once Again Partners with TEDC for Summer Youth Employment Program

“Preparing students for the real world in a real way” is critical to the success of students participating in Tomball ISD Career & Technical Education (CTE). Every opportunity a student receives to gain real-world experiences creates a professional avenue for success post high school.

Tomball ISD CTE Department has once again partnered with the Tomball Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) to launch its Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). The purpose of the program was to create a talent and workforce development initiative while providing TISD CTE students with the opportunity to apply their technical knowledge and skills in a real-world business environment.

“An internship is an important component of a CTE program of study as it allows students to apply the content knowledge, technical skills, and industry-recognized certifications they have acquired to real work in a professional business setting,” said Karla Sandoval, Tomball ISD Director of CTE. “By partnering with the TEDC, our goal continues to be to ensure that the CTE programs that we offer in Tomball ISD align with local businesses and the skills that they will need their employees to possess, both now and into the future.”

Tomball ISD students ages 16-20 are encouraged to participate in the SYEP as an extension of their classroom CTE experiences. A variety of industries are represented each year, creating diverse opportunities for interested students. 

“In addition to honing their technical skills, student interns benefitted from the opportunity to develop critical job-readiness skills needed across industries such as professionalism, communication, teamwork, initiative and time management,” said Sandoval.

Students interested in the program must complete an application. Participating businesses review the applications and select the candidates to interview. Limited openings are available, therefore, job placement is not guaranteed to all applicants.

To learn more about the SYEP, visit the Tomball Economic Development webpage.

“The true success of SYEP is measured not just in hours worked, but in the relationships built, the skills gained, and the opportunities that open for our students and businesses alike,” said Tiffani Wooten, TEDC Assistant Director.

Students who recently participated during the Summer of 2025 were paid $15 per hour and worked 20 hours per week over a 7-week period. Funding for the program was provided by the TEDC and approved by the TEDC Board and the Tomball City Council. 

“Our partnership with the TEDC was so successful that plans are already being made to expand the program to include even more businesses and student interns next summer,” said Sandoval.