Work Based Learning at Union County High School:
Discovering the Win-Win
By Joanie Brock

As students graduate from high school and begin their future endeavors, whether a career, or a stepping stone toward their planned destination, these young adults are making choices from an unlimited pool of opportunities. Selecting where to go next and how to get there can often be overwhelming for many of us, especially a young adult with limited experience and few resources. Think about it, the potential opportunities are endless and would make it hard for someone to even know where to start in the process of elimination. Discovering the optimal destination preferred by each individual takes patience and direction. Union County High School (UCHS) recognizes that students may sometimes have a difficult time taking these steps toward progression, so they are working diligently to make a positive impact in a supporting role.

UCHS and participating businesses are working together to offer local students an opportunity to try various career paths that help them prepare for their future destinations. Whether through job shadowing, part time employment, internships, apprenticeships, or educational instruction, UCHS’s Work Based Learning (WBL) program is helping students gather insight to the world ahead and take introductory steps toward achieving their desired career outcomes. In an interview with Bryan Shoffner, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director, he states, “Work Based Learning prepares students with work ethics and specific skills for future career development. These students explore various paths for their future to get a better idea of which direction they want to pursue. We try to tie the student's program to their field of study; for example, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) may be placed in a physician’s office. Overall, this is a great opportunity for the students.”

Eligible 11th and 12th grade UCHS students can earn two high school credits per school year by maintaining employment or designated training with a participating business and the WBL program. While students report directly to their employing manager/supervisor, the WBL Coordinator from UCHS supports both the employer and the student in achieving desired performance outcomes on the job. Essentially, this program is a win-win for both the student and employer aligning educational training and on the job training to meet the needs of the business while preparing the student to succeed in the future.

The program offers benefits to employers as well. Most hiring managers will express that finding and securing quality employees is a feat in and of itself. Employers currently utilizing the WBL program can receive specific insight to obtaining a good employee as well as job coaching. “We are happy to work with any local business interested in participating,” says Shoffner. UCHS participates in the Tennessee Work Ethic Diploma Distinction which is a workforce readiness credential available to 12th grade students who achieve specific standards of performance. Students are required to achieve the minimum competency points to obtain this diploma and those competencies include categories such as attendance, punctuality, discipline, being drug free, grade point average (GPA) maintenance, and various industry specific standards. Individuals that achieve this diploma are given preference for job interviews at the participating employers if they meet all the qualifications for the open position. Therefore, the employee and employer are both benefiting.

As the Work Based Learning program continues to grow in Union and surrounding counties, the various methods of participation for businesses grows as well. Business owners or representatives are eligible to employ students, mentor, teach industry basics through seminars, discuss scholarships and on the job training, provide cooperative assignments, and initiate apprenticeships. The program is available throughout the school year in addition to summer months. The Place of Patriot Summer Program allows the WBL program to continue throughout the summer months without interruption for eligible students.

As a growing community, we thrive on both group and individual successes. We are pleased that so many of our local businesses and business owners participate in this program to strengthen our students and prepare them to become equal contributors to our community's workforce. Collaboration among the labor market and educational systems will further strengthen our robust growth and industry potential. So, thank you to our local supporters, local businesses, and to our educators for your contributions to Union County.

Local Participating WBL Businesses
Pizza Inn, Tazewell
Booker’s One Stop Market, Maynardville
Food City, Blaine and Maynardville
Diezelwerks, Clinton
Waste Water Treatment Plant, Maynardville
Bobcat of Knoxville, Knoxville
Sonic Drive-In, Halls Crossroads
Ingles, Halls Crossroads
Blackman Pediatrics, Powell
Nease’s Market, Luttrell
Union Apparel, Maynardville
Kids Place, Gibbs
Wyrick Roofing, multi locations
Goodwill Industries, Maynardville
Hardee’s, Maynardville
Fred’s Discount Store, Maynardville
Willow Ridge Center, Maynardville
33 Hardware, Maynardville
Farmer’s Co-op, Maynardville

Participating Work Ethic Development Businesses
LEAR Corp.
Mahle
JTEKT
Meritor
Tuff Torq
International Paper
TRW
Colortech
Arconic
Ball
Petoskey Plastics
Rich’s
Team Technologies Inc.
SI Group
Renold Jeffrey
Work Now
G Hutchinson
Old Dominion Freight
@Work Personnel Services
KTN Kawasaki Tennessee, Inc.
GE
Wellmont Health System
America Appliance Products Inc.
Express Employment Professionals
Kelly Services
Bodycote
Original Footware Co.
Worthington Industries
Cooper Standard
ICONEX
Norris
LISEGA
The Robinette Company
Northeast Community Credit Union
Spherion
Mountain States Health Alliance
Baldor
Mullican Flooring
Eastern Plating Inc.
Phoenix Closures, Inc.

Participating Students
Tucker Adams
Jessie Bailey
Katelyn Barnard
Deana Biggs
Haley Bounds
Rayce Brown
Savannah Craig
Dylan Davis
Sawyer Henderson
Zachary Hickman
Brenda Holloway
Emilie Irwin
Devyn Johnson
Austn Marsee
Faith Parker
Courtney Powell
Jaycee Rainey
Chloe Rose
Pikelyn Russell
Carolyne Rutherford
Reagan Smith
Cheynne Wise
McKinzie Wollard
Daniel Wyrick