Career Pathways

Asheville-Buncombe-Madison Career Pathways Partnership

The Asheville-Buncombe-Madison Career Pathways Partnership is the College Tech Prep consortium between the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville City Schools, Buncombe County Schools and Madison County Schools. The consortium is titled a Career Pathways Partnership to emphasize the intent to create a seamless transition from secondary education into the world of work through advanced training at either community college or university level. 

The partnership began implementing an education reform model in 2000 in every school in our three school systems. Every high school student will graduate in a pathway in 2005 and thereafter. A Career Pathway is a planned course of study leading to a career. Career pathways clusters include: Agricultural & Natural Resources Technology; Arts & Science; Biological & Chemical Technologies; Business Technologies; Commercial & Artistic Production Technologies; Construction Technologies; Engineering Technologies; Health Sciences; Industrial Technologies; Public Service Technologies and Transport System Technologies.

Programs are managed by the Asheville-Buncombe-Madison Career Pathways Partnership.

Career Pathways Initiatives and Programs:

• “New Schools Project” - Asheville City Schools has been selected by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the “New Schools Project,” an initiative designed to create small, rigorous and relevant high schools. The planning team for Asheville City Schools is creating a Health Sciences School within Asheville High School. The School of Inquiry & Life Sciences at Asheville High is one of eight pilot districts across the state.
   

• “New Schools Project” -  Buncombe County Schools has been selected by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the “New Schools Project” to create a “Learn and Earn” initiative, offering a unique opportunity for traditionally underserved students to earn a high school diploma and two years of college credit, which can be applied toward an Associate’s or a Bachelor’s degree. The design of early college high schools is intended not only to increase high school graduation rates, but also to raise the level of college-readiness, particularly among minority and low-income youth.
   

• The Educators in Industry Program - The program provides an opportunity for educators to develop a practical knowledge of the needs of local business/industry and the hard/soft skills required of prospective employees. They experience first-hand business and industry tours and panel discussions with business leaders to help them prepare students for and associate student interests and talents with area job opportunities.
   

• TechConnect - The Career Pathway partnership works with the Education Coalition to enhance computer skills of at-risk rising 9th graders. This program offers this opportunity to students during a five-day summer camp.
   

• Dual Enrollment Programs - Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College partners with Asheville City Schools, Buncombe County Schools and Madison County Schools to offer college credit for qualified high school juniors and seniors. Students earn college credit and tuition is free.
   

• Shadows Program - The Partnership offers eighth-grade students from special education classes the opportunity to visit worksites of their choice for a half-day program.
   

• Career Guidance and Staff Development - The Partnership provides students with the tools and assistance for making career choices.  It also provides opportunities for counselors, teachers and administrators to learn about Career-Technical Education course offerings, and N.C. courses of study and graduation requirements.
   

• Work-Based Learning Experiences - Internship/Apprenticeship opportunities are available for juniors and seniors in good standing to provide them with real-life experiences in their related career pathway.