Tyler, TX — Representative Dan Patrick of Houston puts out a new bill that would encourage more career and technical training in Texas high schools.

The bill apparently stemmed from concerns that students aren't ready for trade jobs.

Educators at east Texas schools tell KETK, career training is on the top of their list, and one local high school gave us an inside-look at their career program.

Economists say, there's a shortage of skilled trade jobs in parts of Texas, and career has taken a back seat to college in high schools.

KETK visited a high school in Smith County, an AG instructor tells KETK, he disagrees.

"Here at Whitehouse we are focusing on the skilled workforce, trying to get these students prepared for jobs when they leave high school," says Jay Northcutt, Agriculture Science & Tech Instructor.

Students have many options to learn a skilled-trade career.

Welding, Engineering and Design, Health and Medical, Vet Medicine, Agriculture, Culinary, Technology and more.

Another 'AG' instructor tells KETK, the baby-boomers are going to leave a gap of skilled trade-jobs and we don't have the prepared workforce.

"That's our job to get those students ready to fill those gaps whether it means they have to go on to another two-year school or a four year school to pickup the additional training and the certifications they need," Dan Seal, Engineering & Construction Tech Instructor.

Students go on to TJC and other colleges and are placed in productive jobs, oil, gas and piping industries. Instructors say, agriculture is a major part of the high schools curriculum in East Texas.

"It's what you eat what you wear, it's what you walk around on it's the pets that love you and the careers that bring us all together," says Rebecca Carter, Agriculture Instructor.