Guilford County Schools Expands Workforce Development Pathway

Guilford County Schools continues its forward trajectory of being a leader in education innovation. It will open three new options to its robust catalog of choice schools and programs. 

Today, the district announced a partnership with Toyota North America to create Advanced Manufacturing pathways at Jackson Middle and Southeast High. The Toyota USA Foundation is providing $1.5m for the creation and expansion of hands-on STEM learning at both schools. The money will be used to purchase equipment and provide professional and leadership development for teachers.  

Funds will also be used towards opening a new Signature Career Academy for Advanced Manufacturing at Southeast High. The Guilford County Board of Education approved the Advanced Career and Technical Education (CTE) program back in 2019 to support the district’s strategic plan goal to increase the number of graduating seniors who complete a rigorous career pathway.  

“Growing a STEM-ready workforce locally will help boost our economy and ensure that Toyota and other major businesses have a pipeline of qualified workers here in the Piedmont Triad for the foreseeable future.” Superintendent Oakley said. “I am grateful for Toyota for having the vision to invest in our students, so that they may receive a deeper foundation in marketable skills that will serve them well throughout their careers.” 

The program will mirror its sister program at Smith High, which provides an immersive experience into the world of Advanced Manufacturing by bringing industry into the classroom. Business partners, mentors, colleges and other industry leaders will work with students to ensure they have the skills they need to lead and succeed in the global talent pool.  

The SCA in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering at Southeast presents a unique opportunity for Toyota and GCS. The high school is located approximately 8 miles from the new $13.9 billion Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina (TBMNC) plant, scheduled to open in 2025 and employ 5,100 workers. The proximity will promote innovation between Toyota and GCS as, together, they build a ready workforce for electrification careers, including: 

According to the National Association of Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing is a more than $100b industry in North Carolina. By 2030, it is estimated that more than two million advanced manufacturing jobs will need to be filled. In the next year, more than five thousand of those jobs will be located in the Piedmont-Triad at Toyota’s new battery plant.  

The three programs will set GCS graduates apart from their peers and honor the district’s Strategic Direction promise to create clear pathways for students to explore and matriculate from kindergarten to 12th grade. The historic program at Foust Elementary will lay the foundation of skills students can expand upon at either Jackson, Southeast High, or Smith High.  

Representative Kathy Manning recently secured $850,000 in federal dollars that will also be used towards renovating and upfitting a building on the Southeast’s campus. The facility will provide access for both Southeast Middle and High students to explore the field.  

“Education and Industry leaders agree that career exploration should begin earlier and students need more choice in career-specific fields of study before high school,” Dr. Oakley said. “This funding will create a unique opportunity for students to explore high-wage careers earlier, allowing them to be on the frontlines, setting the bar for the local talent pool and ultimately eliminating the cycle of poverty for some students.” 

The district’s Career and Technical Education program is a game-changer for many GCS students. CTE concentrators, who complete a two- to three-course sequence in an industry-aligned career pathway, have a 99% graduation rate. The CTE program has contributed to closing the graduation rate gap between students of color and white peers: In 2011, the graduation rates between these groups differed by 12.4%. In 2021, the gap was 5.2%. 

Guilford County Schools is currently developing the course pathways for the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering at Southeast. Students can begin taking courses in the fall and will transition into the new space once renovations are complete.