Workforce Solutions Grant Sends Teachers to Work
On June 25, 2019 Teachers from across Central Texas will be reporting to work but not in their classroom. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded Workforce Solutions of Central Texas the Externship for Teachers Grant in the amount of $41, 478. The grant will provide 25 middle school and high school teachers from Central Texas with externship opportunities with local industry. Teachers will have the opportunity to gain insight from a different work environment that they can then incorporate into a lesson plan to share with students in the classroom.
Through the externship program, educators will be given an opportunity to shadow business and its operations for 3 days, followed by a curriculum planning day with other externship participants. Insights learned – on the job – will be incorporated into the teacher’s curriculum to provide students a better advantage in preparing for careers.
“The Externship Program gives local educators an opportunity to experience the “world of work” that they are preparing students for,” says Charley Ayres, Director, Industry/Education Partnerships at Workforce Solutions of Central Texas. “It is an opportunity that provides educators with real-world experience to help them understand the skills that students will need and creates an opportunity for the businesses to have input on the needs of their future workforce”. Participating companies include:
- AdventHealth Central Texas
- Baylor Scott & White Healthcare
- iZone Imaging
- KCEN Television
- Materials Transportation Company
- McLane Technologies
- PDI Software
- Panel Specialists Incorporated
- Seton Medical Center Harker Heights
- Stratasys Direct Manufacturing
- TRU Manufacturing
Workforce Solutions of Central Texas partners with local school districts within Bell, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas, Milam, Mills and San Saba counties to ensure students have the skills they need to be successful in the workplace. The Summer Externship for Teachers Program is administered by Workforce Solutions of Central Texas, under the Texas Workforce Commission, with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.