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Board highlights apprenticeships, EMT and CNA pathways and GET teacher pipeline
Summary
Cleveland County Schools reported multiple workforce and teacher-pipeline successes: NCDOT pre-apprenticeship (11 completers), nine students earned EMT certification (six hired by Cleveland County EMS), dozens of students completed nurse aide coursework and the CCS GET teacher pipeline announced its first ECU graduate and new cohort admits.
Courtney Doster, Cleveland County Schools' work-based learning coordinator, told the board May 11 that district partnerships with Apprenticeship NC and NC Career Launch have expanded career pathways and produced measurable results.
Doster said 11 students completed the NCDOT pre-apprenticeship last summer. "We had 11 students complete that pre-apprenticeship," she stated. She reported nine students completed the EMT pathway this year, earned EMT certification and that six of those students are now employed by Cleveland County EMS. On the nurse aide pathway, Doster said 20 students previously earned CNA certification; as of May 11, 17 additional students had earned CNA certification this semester and 18 more were still scheduled to test.
Separately, Stephanie Henson described the Growing Excellent Teachers (GET) program, which provides paraprofessionals with financial, academic and professional supports to earn an undergraduate degree and North Carolina special education licensure. Henson said GET typically begins coursework at Cleveland Community College and transfers into East Carolina University's online partner program; participants commit to remain employed by Cleveland County Schools for five years following licensure. The program is entering its fifth year; Henson said it had previously served nine (she later clarified cohort numbers) and recently accepted seven new participants; she recognized Shamar Wilson as the program's first ECU graduate.
Board members praised the results and several noted the programs provide local career pathways and help meet workforce needs. The board did not take formal action on the updates; the GET program and pre-apprenticeship details were presented as informational items and program successes were acknowledged.
Sources: Courtney Doster (work-based learning coordinator) and Stephanie Henson (GET presenter).
