Last week, the Regional Industry Support Enterprise (RISE) hosted its Regional Educator Externship Program which connects educators with local industries and supports workforce development. The 20 educators who participated in the program were nominated by the development authorities and school systems in the counties RISE represents Bryan, Bulloch, Candler, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty and Screven.
During the week educators were embedded with local manufacturing and logistics companies to learn directly about job opportunities in high-demand fields. Host companies included Brasseler, Briggs & Stratton, Claxton Poultry, Daniel Defense, DAS, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, JCB, JTEKT, Sewon America and SNF Holding Company.
Statesboro High School educator Sierra Ward, who was embedded with Briggs & Stratton, called the experience amazing. “I was immersed completely into Briggs & Stratton and their manufacturing line; I was able to experience (their process) from start to finish. We were able to see how we can make sure our students are ready for real world opportunities at places like Briggs & Stratton.”
Effingham College and Career Academy educator Aaron Parker who was with Sewon America throughout the week echoed Ward’s thoughts, “We got to go through the entire production facility and see how it works as well as maintenance and engineering. There is a lot of opportunity for someone to come straight out of school and move up quickly.”
Daniel Defense Environmental Health Safety Technical Training Specialist James Everett said Daniel Defense thinks the Educator Externship is important, “This is a tremendous opportunity to have educators come into our environment and see our processes from start to finish. Having a teacher that can carry this information back to the school system and share what we do, who we are, how we do things is very integral in our growth and development.”
The week concluded with a graduation ceremony which participants shared presentations about the companies they visited and how they plan to incorporate the experience into their classrooms, counseling sessions and career readiness programs.
Effingham County Development Authority Vice President Jessica Hood emphasized the importance of the initiative. “Providing educators with firsthand, real-world experience is one of the most effective ways to strengthen the connection between the classroom and the workplace. As industries continue to evolve, opportunities like the Educator Externship Program help teachers stay informed about the skills, technologies, and career opportunities shaping our region’s economy.”
Each educator received a $1,000 stipend. Two educators from each RISE county were selected to participate made possible through support from Georgia Power. Several partners sponsored additional educators.
Georgia Power Savannah Area Manager Mickey Daniell said about Georgia Power’s investment in the Educator Externship, “One of Georgia Power’s core pillars is empowering education and that includes workforce development. We know the workforce needs are essential to our region, so we partner with RISE to give back and give educators the experience to learn about the industries around us. Then they can take back what they learned to their students in the classroom as well as to their peers and administrators about the importance and value of these opportunities.”
