HOUSTON, TX — Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) recently celebrated the groundbreaking of its new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, currently expected to open for students by the fall of 2026. Stantec collaborated with Lamar CISD to design and develop the 236,000-square-foot campus that will serve all six of the district’s high schools and help prepare students for success in high-demand technical careers.

“It’s about choices and opportunities,” Lamar CISD Superintendent Dr. Roosevelt Nivens told attendees during the groundbreaking ceremony. “This means an awful lot to us, but just imagine the generations that this is going to impact. Imagine the community this is going to impact. Imagine the lives this is going to impact.”

District staff and guests from across the area attended to mark the official launch of the project, which will ultimately bring the district’s first dedicated CTE facility, purpose-built to serve the educational and career preparation needs of Lamar CISD students.
Career programs in areas including automotive, cosmetology, and culinary will give students the opportunity to work directly with customers as part of the curriculum, offering real-world experience as students provide services to area residents. In collaboration with business and community partners, the district’s CTE programs connect students with learning opportunities, industry-based certifications, post-secondary credit, and technical skills to allow them to thrive in a competitive global economy.

“Education, like the workforce, is dynamic. Our CTE work is informed by detailed market analysis that considers workforce needs, educators’ experience, and insights from industry leaders,” said Meredith Watassek, Education Planner at Stantec. “Understanding projected job growth and internal district needs allowed us to design a center that will help students find fulfilling careers for decades to come.”