CCSD Points Toward (Not Your Father's/Mother's) Manufacturing Careers

First, you should know about Chad Vail, the Charleston County School District's Work-based Learning Partnerships Coordinator. Vail has lived in the Lowcountry for more than 25 years, which makes him an old-timer in CCSD terms.. According to Vail's bio, "examples of Work-Based Learning include Job Shadowing, Internships, Youth Apprenticeships, & Structured Field Trips."

"CCSD has added 8 Career Specialists to work with students in grades 5-8 on their Individual Graduation Plans, which revolve around 16 identified career clusters. The students are encouraged to identify their strengths and interests and learn about the career opportunities which align with them. The students also receive “soft skills” training needed for integration into the workforce, which include listening skills, following instructions, proper body language and eye contact and speaking clearly."

"The programs are part of the increased demand for Career and Technology Education (CTE), which helps prepare students for 21st Century jobs in demand.  CCSD has more than 19,000 students in grades 7-12 enrolled in one or more CTE classes.  Partnering with the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, CCSD has placed about 200 students in apprenticeships, which involve a two-year commitment with partnering businesses, and more than 500 internships, which typically last a semester and involve at least 120 hours of on-the-job training.  Students are paid for participation in most of these training programs."

Trident Tech also offers paid apprenticeships to high school juniors and seniors who will earn credits and professional certification. 

Time to stop forcing parents and students into the one-size-fits-all going--to-college scenario. If these students decide later on a four-year degree, they can use their technical skills to finance their way through.