Schools Prep Students for Workforce Readiness
Published Mar 21, 2007
Foy H. Moody High School gets curriculum input from local businesses such as CHRISTUS Spohn Health System.
Corpus Christi Independent School District has taken the lead to ensure students have access to classes that provide real-world skills.
“We have a terrific university and a world-class community college, but it’s the technical curriculums offered through the high schools that make the difference for our company,” says Marjorie Chavez, R.N., Director of Learning and Development for CHRISTUS Spohn Health System.
Chavez frequently hires students directly out of Foy. H. Moody High School’s Health Science Academy.
“It’s rare to find people right out of high school who are completely work-ready, but Moody graduates are ready to go.”
Moody High School’s Academy curriculums are developed with input from local businesspeople.
The partnership works, says Chavez. “We are known as an employer of choice in the community, and this program helps us stay that way.”
The Health Science Academy at Moody High is only one of several academies offered at the school. Students may choose academies in Arts and Humanities; Business Professions; Industrial Trades; or Pre-Engineering, Math and Science.
While the cutting-edge program is unique to Moody High School, it is in no way the only school offering a business-friendly curriculum, says Dr. Manuel Flores, president of CCISD’s Board of Trustees.
“Richard King High School offers a CISCO certification that is in great demand,” Flores says. Finding employees with CISCO skills can be difficult, but students who choose to go through this program are ready to work with the technology immediately. “Employers are calling for more of these types of programs,” Flores adds. “We’ve worked hard to bring our technology current with the technology used in the workplace. Skills like these are in demand.”
Chavez agrees. “Sometimes our employees take the knowledge they learned at Moody and go into a two-year program at Del Mar College or a four-year program at Texas A&M. This gives them much better chances at promotions within our company,” Chavez says. “It’s rewarding to see an employee expand their career options. Moody High School truly prepares students for a career track.”
Flores sees potential for more programs throughout the district. “Ideally, we would expand these types of programs to all the high schools,” he says.
By offering options to students who express an interest, CCISD is ensuring that students who aren’t college bound can graduate from high school career-ready. For those that are heading to college, the programs can give them an edge.
“These programs ensure that participating students are reading and writing at career-acceptable levels,” Flores adds. “They require little or no remediation when they get to college.”
“The most important thing,” Chavez says, “is that our young people are able to hit the ground running.”
Story by Mary Z. Afuso
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