In the globally competitive world of work, students need the skills and knowledge that employers seek and the ability to continue learning throughout their lives. At the same time, employers and communities need a healthy pipeline of skilled talent and a workforce that keeps businesses economically viable and cities, states, and regions thriving.
Unfortunately, most American high school students do not receive an education that provides high-quality preparation for either college or career path after graduation, and work-based learning in particular does not has not been raised. Multiple recent studies have shown that the majority of business executives and recruiters believe there is a large gap between the skills they need and the skills their employees have. I am.
Here in North Carolina, we see first-hand how the choices we make in our state’s education system can impact business. North Carolina, once the nation’s top state for business, was recently dethroned by its neighbor to the north, Virginia. Experts and the media say Virginia’s elite education system is making a difference.
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Through the collaboration of education and business leaders in the Tar Heel State and across the country, we are ready to tackle this challenge and provide students with a real gateway to high-quality careers and meaningful opportunities for financial security. It’s a time that has passed.
In Guilford County, North Carolina, a forward-looking partnership between local industry and public schools is moving in that direction, beginning to guide more students into career paths in high-demand fields. This initiative will help students gain the qualifications they need to successfully join a growing number of careers, both local and national, that require expertise in areas such as advanced manufacturing, cloud computing and AI, and logistics. We provide opportunities for young people.
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In 2018, Guilford County Schools and local employers convened a Blue Ribbon Task Force that included representatives from industry, nonprofits, and universities to identify high-growth sectors in the region. The coalition created a vision and plan for career-ready education through a comprehensive assessment of the region’s employment and skills needs.
Today, six Signature Career Academies provide an industry-leading learning environment that equips students with skills and certifications in artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, biotechnology, global logistics, supply chain management, and more. I am.
What students experience in the classroom, the technology and tools they use, and the on-the-job training aspects of the curriculum are shaped by input from local employers and practitioners in the field. Many students earn wages while learning. Certain routes also offer good returns because students spend three days working and two days in traditional classes. They graduate with highly desirable certifications and qualifications, debt-free and ready to move on to high-paying careers or further education.
For students in the district, work experience begins in the upper grades of elementary school and early in middle school. Through various virtual “Get Into Industry” tours. Workforce Symposium. AI skill simulator. Industry-specific computer applications that allow students to practice what they do on the job allow young people to see and feel what it means to work in a particular field. The aim is to spark curiosity that can reveal personal passions and ultimately career aspirations. And if a student changes their mind, there are multiple ways to change programs throughout high school, try a different industry or field, or pursue a new path.
More than 300 experienced instructors guide students through a structured program that combines classroom, virtual, and hands-on learning. To stay up to date with the latest advances and practices in the industry, our instructors spend time in the field over the summer, bringing back new knowledge and expertise to our students to ensure their programming remains current. Masu.
The results speak for themselves. In 2020-21, during the pandemic, Guilford County students earned 2,966 industry-recognized certifications. The following year, that number jumped to 7,118. This academic year, students achieved 10,766 qualifications, an increase of more than three times.
By empowering young people to pursue the fields and careers of their choice, at a time when communities across the country suffer from chronic absenteeism and job satisfaction among young workers is significantly lower than other age groups. Education becomes more meaningful and, in turn, more attractive. Research shows that high-quality career and technical education, like Signature Career Academy, improves attendance and student achievement due to its relevance and engagement. Graduation rates are also higher. Last year, the district had a record high four-year graduation rate of 92.2%.
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Our high-quality certifications provide the district’s students with evidence of skill acquisition, while also providing employers and those considering moving to the area with the region’s long-lasting skilled workforce. and provide a strong signal that we are in a position to support our local economic base. We are resilient and look to the future.
When young people have access to high-quality, career-relevant learning, income inequality decreases and communities thrive.
Now, a quarter of the way into the 21st century and more than 40 years after warnings of a nation in crisis, business and education leaders are collaborating in ways big and small to make learning better for students. You can make it meaningful and engaging. Doing so is not just an investment in our students, but also in the future of America’s neighborhoods, towns, cities, states, and the nation as a whole.
