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Bartlett City Schools has invested time and resources into enhancing its career technical educational programming in recent years, preparing students for jobs once they finish high school.
Now with Ford Motor Co. set to build a plant in Haywood County by 2025, that program may also help provide hands-on learning for students, preparing them for jobs in the automotive industry.
Suburbs could become growth point with proximity to proposed Ford plans
Bartlett High School’s machine and manufacturing lab, featuring the latest in computer numerical control (CNC) machinery, is evidence of the suburban school district’s commitment. Originally, the CNC machinery mostly prepared students for jobs in the medical device industry — prominent in Bartlett. There are more than 10 medical device companies that call the Shelby County suburb home.
“It’s extremely important that we start giving kids exposure to all the different careers. … We might not know what the job looks like 10 years from now, but whether it’s health care, hospitality, law, manufacturing trades, as long as we’re exposing students to those opportunities for them and a roadmap for them to get training,” said Clark Knight, BCS Career & Technical Education (CTE) supervisor.
Ford and SK Innovation announced last month to invest $5.6 billion in an electric battery and truck plant at the Memphis Regional Megasite north of Exit 42 on Interstate 40
The vehicle manufacturer’s investment, which could bring an estimated 5,800 jobs to the area, is seen as a potential game changer for the entire West Tennessee region. One of the challenges between now and the plant’s opening is building up a requisite workforce.
Bartlett City Schools is not the only suburban district providing hands-on machine technology training for its students. Arlington Community Schools has a similar program preparing students for jobs that require use of CNC machinery.
Governor, execs celebrate Megasite news
Bartlett and Arlington are not located in Haywood County, of course, but the Shelby County suburban municipalities may greatly benefit from Ford and SK’s investment because of the cities’ proximity to the site. Even compared to Memphis, which is further out from the Megasite despite the property bearing its name.
“We feel like we’re positioned to give our students those opportunities,” David Stephens, BCS superintendent, said. “It also allows us to look and see the needs that Ford is going to have and how can we work our programs. Adjust our programs to meet those needs. We’re really excited they’re coming.”
C.J. Willis, 17, is a senior at BHS. On Thursday afternoon, Oct. 22, he sat in a traditional classroom setting with classmates being taught by BHS CTE teacher Jonathan Easley. One door over is the machining and manufacturing lab that features CNC machinery that Stephens said is comparable to ones seen at medical device companies like Smith & Nephew.
Willis has spent the past three years taking classes in the school’s machine tool technology program. He first decided to take a course simply because “it sounded interesting.” He also acknowledges hands-on learning is not available at every school.
“So to have the CNC (machinery) and learn the program and stuff like that, it’s just a huge privilege,” Willis said.
Knight said there are about 100 students participating in the machinery and manufacturing program and 1,100 taking at least one career technical education course at BCS.
Bartlett’s investment in machining and manufacturing programming came at a time when the mindset around trade jobs slowly changed. The jobs could be touted as higher-paying compared to careers requiring a four-year degree.
That mindset hasn’t totally deterred, however. One of the challenges facing BCS and the The Bartlett Chamber of Commerce is explaining to parents these jobs are worth their time.
Collierville, Germantown ‘charged’ about Ford site
“The only way you grow that pipeline is students going through school see that as a viable career path,” said Bartlett Chamber President John Threadgill.
Another selling point with Ford’s announcement is the machinery available as BHS prepares them for multiple industries. It’s unlikely both the medical device and automotive industries will endure slowdowns at the same time, making it advantageous for someone on the job market, Threadgill said.
The Memphis Regional Megasite landing that elusive tenant likely changes the region’s long-term trajectory. Bartlett’s CTE program will undergo adjustments to reflect that new reality.
“That’s one thing in the world of career technical education, it’s not a static deal because the world is changing extremely fast,” Stephens said. “So we have to be able to be nimble and pivot and move as the needs change.”
Willis plans to play baseball at the University of Memphis, and hopes for a long-term career. There’s no plans to go further with his machining knowledge — at least right now. The BHS senior does have some advice for other students considering those classes in the future.
“Don’t be scared to do it, because it’s just as good of a route as going to a four-year school if not better because you probably won’t be in debt, and you’ll immediately be in the big job field where you can make big money,” Willis said.
C.J. Willis, 17, is a senior at BHS. On Thursday afternoon, Oct. 22, he sat in a traditional classroom setting with classmates being taught by BHS CTE teacher Jonathan Easley. One door over is the machining and manufacturing lab that features CNC machinery that Stephens said is comparable to ones seen at medical device companies like Smith & Nephew.
Willis has spent the past three years taking classes in the school’s machine tool technology program. He first decided to take a course simply because “it sounded interesting.” He also acknowledges hands-on learning is not available at every school.
“So to have the CNC (machinery) and learn the program and stuff like that, it’s just a huge privilege,” Willis said.
Knight said there are about 100 students participating in the machinery and manufacturing program and 1,100 taking at least one career technical education course at BCS.
Bartlett’s investment in machining and manufacturing programming came at a time when the mindset around trade jobs slowly changed. The jobs could be touted as higher-paying compared to careers requiring a four-year degree.
That mindset hasn’t totally deterred, however. One of the challenges facing BCS and the The Bartlett Chamber of Commerce is explaining to parents these jobs are worth their time.
Collierville, Germantown ‘charged’ about Ford site
“The only way you grow that pipeline is students going through school see that as a viable career path,” said Bartlett Chamber President John Threadgill.
Another selling point with Ford’s announcement is the machinery available as BHS prepares them for multiple industries. It’s unlikely both the medical device and automotive industries will endure slowdowns at the same time, making it advantageous for someone on the job market, Threadgill said.
The Memphis Regional Megasite landing that elusive tenant likely changes the region’s long-term trajectory. Bartlett’s CTE program will undergo adjustments to reflect that new reality.
“That’s one thing in the world of career technical education, it’s not a static deal because the world is changing extremely fast,” Stephens said. “So we have to be able to be nimble and pivot and move as the needs change.”
Willis plans to play baseball at the University of Memphis, and hopes for a long-term career. There’s no plans to go further with his machining knowledge — at least right now. The BHS senior does have some advice for other students considering those classes in the future.
“Don’t be scared to do it, because it’s just as good of a route as going to a four-year school if not better because you probably won’t be in debt, and you’ll immediately be in the big job field where you can make big money,” Willis said.