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Last updated on Wednesday, August 27, 2014
(BROWNSTOWN) - Brownstown Central High School has been named the 2014 Conexus Indiana Best Hire Technology Launch award winner for its work in successfully launching Hire Technology, a high school curriculum designed to prepare students for advanced manufacturing and logistics careers.
Brownstown Central High School is one of 130 high schools that teaches Hire Technology, which now serves a total of 2,000 students at nearly 80 locations around the state. Hire Technology was developed by Conexus Indiana, the state's advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) initiative, in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Education and Ivy Tech Community College. The 2-year turn-key curriculum offers students dual credit and industry credentials that will help them enter an AML career after high school, or get a jump start on post-secondary education.
Dan Schwartz teaches Hire Technology at Brownstown Central High School and has successfully partnered with local industry to bring advanced manufacturing and logistics to life in the classroom. While most Hire Technology schools have one industry partner, called A+ Partners, Brownstown Central High School has 10 A+ Partners, far exceeding expectations and deepening students' hands-on experience inside and outside the classroom.
"With the support of the Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation and Economic Opportunities through Education initiative (EcO15), Dan rocketed from 1 to 10 industry partners in the first few months of the program," said Claudia Cummings, Conexus Indiana's vice president of Education, Workforce and Community Programs. "Dan, along with the local EcO15 and JCIDC County Coordinator, Jackie Hill, worked with companies to ensure that his students were learning precisely what was required to gain employment with manufacturing and logistics companies in the community. The companies also provided students with mock interviews early in the year to help them identify areas for development."
Brownstown Central High School succeeded in helping 97 percent of its students earn college credit during the first year of Hire Technology. Students also participated in a job fair at the end of the school year, at which time many Brownstown Central High School students earned internships and full-time employment opportunities.
"The success of the Hire Technology program can be measured in many ways. But when students leave high school for the summer - or graduate in their senior year - with opportunities waiting for them in good-paying careers, it's clear you've got a winning program, supported by dedicated teachers and industry partners," Cummings said.
About Conexus Indiana:
Conexus Indiana is Indiana's advanced manufacturing and logistics initiative, dedicated to making Indiana a global leader. Conexus is focused on strategic priorities such as workforce development, creating new industry partnerships, and promoting Indiana's advantages in manufacturing and logistics. Learn more at www.ConexusIndiana.com.
Hire Technology is possible through funding by organizations such as Lilly Endowment Inc., Chase and Ivy Tech Community College, as well as through significant contributions from industry partners.
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