The Careers in Transportation Education Program aims to promote awareness and foster interest in the transportation industry among middle and high school students, as well as young adults from Environmental Justice Communities affected by the I-526 Lowcountry Corridor WEST Improvement Project. This program is designed to introduce students to various career opportunities within the sector, support workforce development, and mitigate economic and social impacts in affected communities.

Objectives

  1. Awareness Building:
    1. Increase students’ knowledge of transportation careers, from entry-level to professional roles.
  2. Career Exploration:
    1. Offer insights into roles in transportation, including construction, engineering, planning, and emerging technologies.
  3. Workforce Development:
    1. Encourage the development of relevant skills needed for the transportation and infrastructure sectors.
  4. Community Impact Mitigation:
    1. Provide career education opportunities to lessen the economic impact on communities affected by the I-526 Lowcountry Corridor WEST Improvement Project.

Program Components

1. Educational Workshops:

   – Target Audience: Middle and high school students, and young adults (aged 25 or younger) from the impacted neighborhoods.

   – Content: Workshops will introduce students to the transportation industry, cover career opportunities, and outline educational pathways for each career level (entry, mid-level, professional).

   – Industry Experts: Guest speakers from local transportation-related organizations will provide real-world perspectives and career advice.

– Virtual Reality Headsets will be used to introduce middle and high school students to careers in the transportation industry.

   2. Potential Field Trips and Site Visits

   – Objective: Expose students to real-world transportation projects and industry operations.

   – Activities: Students will visit construction sites, transportation, etc. to observe professionals at work and interact with them to gain practical insights.

3. Career Counseling and Mentorship:

   – Mentorship Program: Pair students with professionals in transportation-related fields for personalized career guidance and mentorship.

   – Career Counseling: SC Works Trident will offer individualized career counseling to help students map out their career goals and identify steps to achieve them.

4. Skill Development Workshops:

   – Resume and Interview Preparation: Workshops focused on developing essential skills like resume building and interview techniques.

   – Technical Skills Training: Introductory training on core technical skills, such as basic engineering, project management, and emerging technologies relevant to transportation.

5. Career Exploration Events:

   – Partnership with Chambers of Commerce: Collaborate with local chambers of commerce to host annual career exploration events, featuring interactive exhibits and demonstrations of transportation-related careers.

   – Target Audience: Middle school students from impacted communities.

   – Interactive Exhibits: These events will include hands-on activities and demonstrations to engage students and increase their interest in transportation careers.

6. Mobile Simulation Program or VR Headsets:

   – Objective: Purchase and deploy a mobile simulation unit that demonstrates careers in construction and transportation. 

   – Program Use: Our mobile unit will travel to schools and community events to offer students a first-hand, interactive experience of construction-related careers.

   – Outreach and Access: This mobile simulation will ensure that schools in the impacted communities have regular access to the program’s resources. 

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