Westmoreland High School will advance CTE and incorporate TCAT Dual Enrollment with $175,000 Grant
Money will be used to advance CTE and incorporate Dual Enrollment opportunities with TCAT-Hartsville
Westmoreland, TN—Westmoreland High School has been named a recipient of the highly competitive Perkins Reserve Grant totaling $175,000. The grant will be used to advance machining technology including the purchase of several new pieces of equipment that is being utilized in numerous manufacturing facilities across the nation and in Sumner County. Students will have the opportunity to learn advanced skills immediately transferable to the workforce that should increase their likelihood to obtain gainful employment.
In addition, Sumner County Schools has created a partnership with TCAT-Hartsville to offer a dual enrollment course. The new collaboration will enable WHS machining students the opportunity to earn clock hours that can be used toward a certificate or diploma at TCAT. Also, the WHS machining program plans to offer OSHA-10 and/or NIMS certifications for the first time, along with creating workforce partnerships.
“This grant opens up a vast array of opportunities for Westmoreland High School students to grow academically and become even more competitive in their future educational and career pursuits,” Sumner County Schools Supervisor of CTE and STEM, Chase Moore said. “We’ve worked really hard to develop programs that allow students to earn certifications and credentials in a variety of fields before they even graduate. This grant will help continue to strengthen and develop our CTE and STEM programs.”
The US Department of Education approved the state’s plan, Strengthening Career and Technical Education in Tennessee, which will provide $110 million over four years in federal funds to implement CTE at the K-12 and postsecondary levels in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Education also announced more than $3 million in Perkins Reserve Grants to 44 school districts for the 2020-2021 school year.
“Every student deserves the opportunity to graduate with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful, whatever pathway they choose. Tennessee’s Perkins V Plan will help our districts and education leaders expand access to high quality learning experiences for more students, like work-based learning, STEM programming, and opportunities to earn certifications and credentials even before graduating,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “By strengthening CTE in Tennessee, we are not only investing in our students—we are preparing the future workforce of our state.”
In January 2021, Westmoreland High School plans to host a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate this new partnership.
– Press Release, Sumner County Schools