Nash Community College and Nash County Public Schools Successful WIN Academy
In March 2023, Nash Community College and Nash County Public Schools launched a renewed workforce development partnership. The partnership developed the Work In Nash (WIN) Academy to address the local labor shortages and skill gaps. It recently finished its first class of cadets with a graduation ceremony in June.
16 students graduated from the first class.
The WIN Academy is a three-week program immediately following high school graduation to educate students on the skills required to be successful in the workplace.
“It’s simple, what we have learned from industry professionals is that they don’t need us to teach future employees how to do the job; instead, they need us to help them learn the needed soft skills to be successful in the workplace,” said Dr. Lew K. Hunnicutt, president of NCC.
The concept is that the insights learned from the academy are a “win” for Nash County and its participants.
Rocky Mount High School, Northern Nash High School, Nash Central High School and Southern Nash High School each hosted a WIN Academy, and students attended the academy at the same high school they recently graduated.
Dr. Steve Ellis, the superintendent of NCPS, expressed, “Our mission is to consistently offer a high-quality education to every student in Nash County Public Schools. The establishment of this academy further demonstrates the strong partnership between NCPS and NCC, and I eagerly anticipate the next class.”
The courseload is designed to cover a list of skills across the board like dependability, reliability, adaptability, effective communication, cultural awareness, developing empathy, dealing with conflict, stress management, time management and goal setting.
“The core thing we must remember is that we are preparing students to secure and maintain employment,” said Carla Dunston, dean of continuing education at NCC. “Students participate in various activities such as personal and career assessments, creating a personal brand, researching potential career paths, writing resumes and cover letters and completing job applications.”
Part of the area business and industry’s commitment to the academy will be guaranteed interviews for individuals who complete the WIN Academy.
“We are grateful for the generosity of our local companies who volunteer their time to provide tours and presentations to the students,” said Dunston.
The academy could tour and participate in activities with Edwards, Belt Concept, Freedom Industries, Rocky Mount Electric Motors, Cummins, Barnhill Concept, FirstWave, LS Cable & System, Mullen & Co., Poppies, Pfizer and Sara Lee.
“Having these relationships and interviewing experiences will greatly enhance the graduates’ chance to become employed locally in their career of interest,” said Dr. Hunnicutt. “These businesses can gain exposure to eager potential employees each year with priority access to academy participants.”
NCC and NCPS anticipate the next class with the goal of continued better outcomes.
“We are eager to do this again, and now that the first class has been successful, we know what works well and what needs some massaging,” said Dunston. “Our team is always searching for better tools and tactics to serve our students; the WIN academy is no different.”
Since completion of the academy, participating students have been offered jobs at Sara Lee and Belt Concepts; additional students have also had interviews with Cummins, Pfizer and Mcclane and are awaiting decision letters.
“That’s the goal, and we are excited that most of these students have either been offered a job or have participated in interviews with potential employers,” said Dunston.
