Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and the Richmond County School System just reached a big milestone in helping at-risk students find a path into the local workforce.
Recently, the 400th graduate completed the Reaching Potential Through Manufacturing (RPM) program, since it started in 2017.
With 10 graduates earning their high-school diplomas this month, the RPM program has now graduated 400 students since celebrating its first graduates in 2017. Another 11 RPM students are on track to graduate this summer.
“We are proud to celebrate this milestone for RPM, and the accomplishments of our newest graduates,” said Rob Scholl, president and CEO of Textron Specialized Vehicles. “This program is another example of the life-changing impact that local companies, our schools, and our community can make when we work together to help our kids in need.”
“We entered into this partnership with Textron Specialized Vehicles to create new pathways for students who needed a different kind of opportunity to succeed,” said Dr. Malinda Cobb, interim superintendent of schools for the Richmond County School System. “RPM continues to prove that when we align academics with purpose and mentorship, we can change the trajectory of a student’s life. We are grateful for the unwavering commitment of our educators and the determination of our students, and we look forward to growing this partnership even further.”
RPM is a public-private partnership to support at-risk high school students who need an alternative path to earning their high school diploma. The program combines an instructional day with a four-hour shift on a manufacturing floor, at a unique facility that is half-schoolhouse, half-manufacturing plant. While at work, the students produce components and subassemblies for E-Z-GO® golf cars and Cushman® utility vehicles manufactured in Augusta.
Besides the manufacturing floor, the facility includes a classroom and educational space to allow students to make progress toward their high-school diploma, and earn valuable work experience and income, from a single facility. Students are employees of Textron Specialized Vehicles and are paid for their work.
Many RPM graduates have gone on to college, or entered the workforce in the local community. Several graduates have entered full-time employment at TSV’s manufacturing facilities in Augusta.
RPM is modeled after “12 For Life,” a highly successful program of Southwire Company LLC and the Carroll County (Ga.) School System.
For more information about RPM, visit https://www.rcboe.org/rpm. Students who are interested in becoming part of RPM should speak to their high-school guidance counselor.
