Two local teachers are finalists for a national award.

Jorge Huizar of Hennessey High School and Coty Green of Chisholm Trail Technology Center are among 61 finalists for the Prize for Teaching Excellence.

The award is sponsored by Harbor Freight Tools and is designed to shine a spotlight on skilled trade programs.

“High school skilled trades teachers and their programs are often overlooked and underfunded,” said Danny Corwin, exec utive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools.

The finalists are from 30 states and specialize in trades including advanced manufacturing, welding, construction, automotive and agriculture mechanics.

Green teaches automotive technology at CTTC. Huizar is Hennessey’s agriculture education teacher.

The teachers were selected by an independent panel of judges from a field of more than 700 applicants.

The winners will be announced in late October.

More than $1 million in cash prizes will be shared by 18 teachers and their skilled trades programs.

“Despite the dramatic need for a new generation of workers, research has shown that most U.S. high school students do not have access to high-quality skilled trades programs. The goal of the prize is to highlight some of the most outstanding programs nationwide and to celebrate teachers who are making a difference in the lives of students,” said Corwin.

“Our hope is that the stories of these dedicated teachers will inspire other communities to create similar programs for their own high school students. All high school students who want to learn a skilled trade and have a talent for working with their hands should have the same opportunity.”

Research shows bipartisan support for increased investment in skilled trades education in high school.

More than 76 percent of Republicans, Democrats and independents said they favor increased public funding for skilled trades education and think that offering skilled trades classes in high school should be a priority, according to polling by NORC at the University of Chicago.

The poll was commissioned by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools.