To prepare a workforce in a thriving community, collaborative partnerships for sharing information and resources must exist between schools, institutes of higher education, and businesses and industries within an area. The Education and Workforce Innovation Fund (EWIF) was established in 2013 by the North Carolina General Assembly in part to help meet this need.
The fund awards grant dollars annually to local education agencies across the state. EWIF grantees are successfully supporting North Carolina’s pipeline of college and career-ready students from grade school to the workforce through strategic partnerships, career-focused programs and dedicated people fostering innovation in education. The result is more students graduating ready for careers and college.
Partnerships
Collaborations between local education agencies, higher education partners, and business and industry leaders help identify career pathways that address specific community needs. These partnerships allow students to explore career options early and help teachers expand their content knowledge and instructional approach to better prepare their students.
In Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, students are offered internships and externships through the EWIF-supported Advanced Manufacturing Skills Training Alliance (AMSTA). The teachers in these districts have grown from Project-Based Learning and Lean Management concepts.
Strategic partnerships are a part of each EWIF grantee’s plan for preparing college and career-ready students. These partnerships help schools effectively implement career-focused programs that provide relevant and authentic-learning experiences for both students and teachers.
A strong community partnership between Rutherford County Schools and Isothermal Community College generated a plan for five-year course sequences and stackable credentials for their students. Similarly, community partnerships helped launch the Made in Durham career-to-workforce pipeline initiative in Durham County. Students across the state are benefiting from these partnerships.
Programs
Career Academies, such as Beaufort County Schools’ Public Safety Academy at Southside High School and the information and technology academies in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools propagate students’ interests in high demand jobs. Likewise, programs such as Duplin County Schools’ elementary STEM initiative pique students’ interest at an early age in fields with an excellent career outlook.
The workforce development pipeline of JF Kennedy Middle and High School in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is opening doors in particular for at-risk students to achieve successful careers. Quality educational programs are key to helping students prepare for their futures.
People
To fully engage students and teachers in the programs, many grantees have created specialized positions like career coaches and college advisors. These positions are being used to ensure teachers are equipped to provide students with a career-focused education and an awareness of the long-term benefits of a career-focused approach. Career coaches and college advisors work to engage students through multiple opportunities offered throughout North Carolina schools.
Buncombe County Schools taps into a district elementary STEM coach to work with district teachers and students. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is expanding school leaders’ capacity to support a workforce focus through participation in events such as the NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning Innovative Leaders Institute.
Project-Based Learning and Blended Learning specialists work with the Davidson County, Lexington City and Thomasville City Schools’ students and teachers; while Chatham County, Harnett County, and Lee County utilize college and career advisors to provide students and staff awareness of college and career pathways meeting local business and industry needs.
Peer Networks
Through the network of partner organizations, peer networks have been formed to merge formal and informal learning, incorporate best practice for adult learners, and deepen and sustain the learning process for students. Peer learning networks channel knowledge and can accelerate the speed at which learning takes place. The EWIF peer learning network provides an opportunity for grantees across North Carolina to collaborate on innovative program ideas, learn from others about successes and challenges, and serve as a resource for peers. The EWIF peer learning network adds value to participants and the students in their districts by providing supports for deeper, more relevant content and instruction that prepares students for college, careers and life.
EWIF does not provide students with the answer to “What do I want to be when I grow up?” It makes possible greater collaboration and the ability to rethink how education is delivered. Through EWIF, students have the opportunity to explore what is possible.
Tresha Layne is a Director of Professional Learning for NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning
