New scholarship program offers tuition-free education
|
According to experts, like economist Bill Fruth, one of the most important aspects of bringing in industry is providing an educated, trained work force.
But in order to provide the largest work force possible, those education and training programs must be affordable to students across the board.
That?s why local educators have come up with an innovative scholarship program to allow WCHS students to attend a two-year program tuition free at Motlow Community College or Tennessee Technology Center.
The Citizens for Progress Scholarship Program is the brainchild of the school system?s director of instruction, Bobby Cox, and professional and community coordinator, Bonnie Collier, who is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce education committee.
The program is aimed to increase community involvement in education and training programs. Cox based the scholarship on a similar, and very successful, effort in Sevier County. Currently the program only includes Motlow and the Technology Center and is limited to graduates of WCHS, or a state-approved private school in Warren County.
?I heard about the program about two years ago at a conference,? Cox said, ?and it stuck with me. Then when Bonnie took over the Chamber?s education committee I told her there was an idea I?d like to throw out. She thought it was a good idea, so we presented it to the education committee.?
Collier said the idea fit in perfectly with the ?program of work? presented by Chamber president Rodney Boyd, who wants to encourage collaboration between business and industry and local government.
Cox and Collier met with local business leaders, including Andy Forrester, Dennis Ringgenberg and Todd Herzog, and began developing the idea. They then drew up a plan, produced informational materials and began presenting the idea to local organizations and governmental bodies, including the Business Roundtable and Warren County Commission.
?We felt it would fit right in with industrial recruitment,? Cox said, ?because it shows we?re committed, Pre-K through post secondary, to providing a trained work force for Warren County. So if a business was coming in, we could say, ?How would you like us to tailor our training?? And at the Technology Center we could do that.?
Cox said the program would be a benefit for existing industry as well by providing a trained local workforce to pull from if they decide to expand.
The Industrial Development Board agreed, voting unanimously to voice its approval of the scholarship at its meeting Thursday.
?It?s a great recruitment tool,? said Jeff McCormick, the county?s new director of economic development. ?This is the type of program industry looks for in a community.?
?I was personally impressed with the program,? added IDB chairman Joe Hamby. ?It allows the community, business, industry and government to work together to provide training.?
There are a number of eligibility requirements. Students must have at least one custodial parent or court-appointed guardian who is a resident of the county. Students must enroll in either school within 12 months of high school graduation.
Since this is a ?last dollars? type scholarship, students must apply for all other local, state and federal financial aid available prior to applying for the scholarships. Once those funds are obtained, the Citizens for Progress Scholarship will cover the balance of tuition. Applicants must graduate with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, obtain a composite score of 19 on the ACT or equivalent score on the SAT.
As of now, plans are for funding by a combination of donations from individuals, business and industry with additional support from local governments. According to organizers, Sevier County started its program with $200,000 ? half of which came from county and city government and the balance from other donations.
Cox says organizers hope to have the program in place for the 2007-2008 school year.
Any businesses, individuals or organizations interested in participating can contact Cox or Collier for more information or to schedule a presentation.