Caldwell County's innovation initiative
Caldwell County's innovation initiative
Students partnered with local businesses and community organizations to solve authentic problems and learn workforce skills
The Co-Designing Profession-Based Learning in Caldwell County project, funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and other partners, exists to enhance education, workforce knowledge, and skills of Caldwell County residents for success in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The initiative fosters collaboration between education, business, and community leaders, empowering them to design innovative learning experiences for students. By equipping participants with technical and human skills, this project prepares students for future workforce demands. Through two cohorts, educators, industry leaders, and community members work together to co-design authentic Profession-Based Learning opportunities. The project will create a culture of localized innovation, culminating in impactful presentations and sustained relationship between the K-12, community college, industry and government sectors.
The following projects were designed by 6th-12th grade teachers from Caldwell County Schools, faculty from Caldwell County Community College & Technical Institute, and partners from various local industrial, government, and non-profit organizations. The students who participated acted as consultants for their partnering organizations to design potential solutions to authentic problems, all while integrating content from core content classes.
The project is designed to prepare students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution by fostering intentional stakeholder collaboration in designing innovative learning experiences. The goal is to equip education, business, and community leaders with technical and human skills, enhancing the region’s workforce and promoting a culture of localized innovation and collaboration.
