The grant provided funding to Southwestern Community College (SCC) to support a two-year project to prepare adult students for employment in healthcare occupations and to connect students in grades 6-12 with career opportunities and pathways in STEM-related fields that were in demand by employers in the region. The project was designed as a collaborative effort between SCC and Jackson, Macon, and Swain county schools to replicate the advanced manufacturing pathways model developed and successfully implemented between SCC and Swain County Schools. The partners had engaged a broad base of businesses to assist with the development of the education to work pipeline, offer work-based learning experiences to students, and consider graduates for employment opportunities. Golden LEAF funds were used for equipment for a health simulation lab.
