This spring, seniors at Dyersburg High School (DHS) didn’t just graduate with diplomas — they made history as the first class to earn assistant drafter certificates through the school’s computer-aided design (CAD) program. Through dual enrollment coursework at DHS, students were able to earn this credential traditionally offered at the postsecondary level, simultaneously gaining credit toward their high school diploma while earning a certificate from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Northwest.
This is just one example of how Tennessee educators and education leaders are working to expand postsecondary opportunities and better prepare students for careers that enable economic independence. Over the past several years, districts have intentionally designed opportunities that reflect unique regional workforce needs.
SCORE has had the opportunity to work with Dyersburg City Schools through our West Tennessee Pathways Network, which includes four rural school districts working together to strengthen regional alignment and expand accelerated pathways in high-demand fields. The network, first convened by SCORE in 2022, supports cross-district collaboration to help more students access high-quality postsecondary and career opportunities. Aligning high school and postsecondary coursework with actual industry needs is one way to ensure that students are prepared to pursue high-impact opportunities after high school.
Earning the assistant drafter certificate gives students a headstart on multiple postsecondary pathways. Graduates can continue their education in related postsecondary programs, seek employment in engineering or manufacturing fields, or continue building their skills through apprenticeships. In addition to their engagement in the high school curriculum, students also participate in work-based learning experiences that provide hands-on experience, strengthen technical skills, and connect classroom learning to real world careers.
According to DHS staff, students leave the program with a clearer vision for their future. While many students are excited to continue on to postsecondary opportunities and pursue an engineering degree, others hope to start working or begin apprenticeship programs right after high school. Along the way, students gain exposure to a variety of skills associated with computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), including writing programs or code for manufacturing companies and 3D printing. These meaningful career-connected learning experiences encourage students to explore different career paths, try and build new skills, and help them narrow the skills they need to make more informed decisions about their futures.
As part of their career and technical education (CTE) programming, DHS partners with the local community and businesses, allowing industry leaders to share the knowledge and skills they are seeking in their future workforce while ensuring alignment with high school coursework. The partnerships also provide opportunities for students to participate in projects relevant to jobs they might pursue.
Last fall, students at DHS participated in an employer design challenge with a local steel mill, Nucor. During this experience, a Nucor electrician visited DHS and provided students with instruction and support in building a hydraulic box, a device that tracks and monitors the temperature of hot steels. The box was later transported to the Nucor plant and is currently in use there.
This story of student opportunity illustrates what is possible when schools and industry leaders collaborate to align education with local workforce needs. This type of partnership provides meaningful career-connected learning for students that increases their postsecondary and career opportunities while also supporting Tennessee’s workforce goals.
Erin Malafronte is SCORE's strategic practice manager.