Advance Bristol Foundation recently donated $10,000 to support the Ready Workforce Institute, a program that is preparing students for success in the workforce at Tennessee High School’s Viking Academy at Friendship Career Center.
With an initial investment from Advance Bristol, the Ready Workforce Institute program began in January 2023 with six students and grew to 26 by the end of the semester. Students work each Friday at job placements in local businesses. The job placements are on a four-week rotation, and students get paid at the end of each four-week placement for the days worked. The program will kick off tomorrow for the fall semester with seven businesses at 10 locations and 13 students.
“The Advance Bristol Foundation is pleased to be able to make this donation on behalf of members of our organization who recognize the importance of the Ready Workforce Institute and the Viking Academy,” said David Wagner, chairman of Advance Bristol Foundation. “As many of our local employers struggle to find qualified labor, we feel a great need to support these young individuals in their transition into the labor force by providing them basic skills and training needed to make them employable coming out of high school.”
The program also includes feedback from managers at the businesses, helping students reflect and establish goals for their next placement. The Ready Workforce Institute has two goals: to educate students about the job opportunities in the community and to make good employees of Viking Academy students as they prepare to enter the workforce.
“We are forever grateful for Advance Bristol’s support of Ready Workforce Institute,” said Ann Oakley, Viking Academy career counselor. “Having them in our corner bolstered our confidence to move forward with this innovative plan, and we are so glad we did. From raising funds for us to having our students working in their businesses, Advance Bristol has been a true supporter.”
“This additional investment in our students will allow them to continue to develop their employability skills, learn about local industry, and explore their career interests in the most authentic way possible,” added Kelly Vance, Tennessee High assistant principal and Viking Academy administrator. “The Ready Workforce Institute is a bold and innovative program that could potentially change the way students prepare for the workforce. It gives students practical work experience and the opportunity to learn important life skills that they can apply in their future careers. The program also helps local businesses find good employees while allowing them to invest in their communities.”
With the success of the program's first semester, Viking Academy and the Ready Workforce Institute are poised to make a significant impact on their students, their community, and the future workforce. As the program continues to grow, Viking Academy is also looking for additional funding partners to help pay students.
What are Friendship Career Center and Viking Academy?
In addition to Viking Academy, Friendship Career Center is home to Tennessee High School’s Automotive and Machining CTE programs and the Alternative Learning Classroom. The purpose of Viking Academy is to provide an off-site, innovative learning program for Tennessee High School. Viking Academy offers students personalized educational and work-based learning options for those who choose an alternative pathway or are experiencing difficulty in the traditional system.