Released by GCS.
Thirteen Greenville County students are about to receive the work-based learning experience of a lifetime. This morning Greenville County Schools superintendent Dr. W. Burke Royster and representatives from T-Mobile spoke at a live signing day for students who will be “drafted” by one of the largest wireless network providers in the country.
13 GCS students "drafted" to T-Mobile programEmily Gill
Similar to College Signing Day when student athletes announce their choice of college by putting on the cap, 13 high school juniors who are pursuing careers in computer programming will commit to a talent pipeline program with T-Mobile. The two-year program includes two fully-paid summer internships with T-Mobile programmers, web developers, marketers, etc., four dual-credit computer programming classes through Greenville Technical College during their senior year in high school, followed by one full year of coursework at GTC after graduation. Upon completing the program, students will have earned a Full Stack Developer certificate from Greenville Tech and can be offered an interview with T-Mobile for a Junior Engineer position with relocation options.
While work-based learning has been around for a while, this type of CTE (Career and Technical Education) pathway program is new.
“This is the first time Greenville County Schools has partnered with a major company to create a structured pathway specific to IT that includes work-based learning, dual-credit coursework, and certification that leads to an interview with the company upon completion. We appreciate T-Mobile for making this investment and providing Greenville County students with this type of hands-on work experience,” Dr. Royster said.
Dr. Burke Royster speaks to crowd at signingEmily Gill
Paid internships are vital to creating a talent pipeline to fill the jobs of the future, according to LaunchGVL, a work-based learning initiative created by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and Greenville County Schools. LaunchGVL connects high school students with paid work opportunities in Greenville’s high demand occupations, and T-Mobile’s investment in their Explorer program is a significant expansion of the LaunchGVL initiative.
“One of the most valuable ways to educate high school students is by giving them early career opportunities to help develop their professional skills, strengthen personal character, and shape their interests as they become adults,” said John Stevens, T-Mobile, Vice President of Small Markets and Rural Areas. “T-Mobile couldn’t be more excited to work with Greenville County Schools on this initiative and provide real-life professional experiences for these students right here in their hometown.”
