August 18, 2023
By Mealand Ragland-Hudgins
Rutherford County Schools
Rutherford County Schools is embarking on a national challenge to increase work-based learning opportunities for students.
RCS is one of 100 school districts and non-profits across the nation participating in the Career Z Challenge sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Work-based learning can take shape in many ways, but RCS has chosen to focus on expanding opportunities for Gen Z students in digital arts and marketing programs.
For grades 6-8, that may mean bringing industry partners into classrooms to get some hands-on experience through STEM or career exploration classes. High school students may complete tasks for local companies under a digital marketing pre-apprenticeship and later, a full apprenticeship with the ability to earn industry certifications.
This school year, RCS has been chosen as a semifinalist and will earn $10,000 once all steps in Phase 2 (implementation and results) are completed. The reward for Phase 3 (acceleration and results) is $150,000 will be awarded upon successful completion of the third phase (2024-25).
“We plan to pilot at Riverdale and Smyrna high schools this year, and hopefully expand to other schools in the district,” said Tiffany Phillips, RCS industry engagement specialist. “There are students who are interested in digital arts and some that are interested in marketing, but this gives them the best of both worlds. It creates a clear and direct path for employment.”
The apprenticeship, Phillips said, is ideal for, but not limited to, students looking to pursue a career as a social media manager.
“The benefit for industry is that they have students helping them solve problems in ways they never thought of. For students, it may motivate them into a new career path that they haven’t considered,” she added.
For more information, visit CareerZChallenge.com.