Sherman ISD Building Bearcats Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 14

Innovative Programs Help Meet
Manufacturing Workforce Needs
Sherman eighth grade students spent a day
this spring touring manufacturing companies
in the Sherman region to learn first-hand about
the vast career opportunities available in the
manufacturing industry. Part of a long-term plan
to help address workforce shortages, the tours
are designed to educate students about the
industry and broaden their perspective on career
opportunities. program evolved through a collaborative effort that
started with a goal to address shrinking workforce
concerns. A committee that included the Sherman
Economic Development Corporation, Sherman
ISD and other area districts, Denison Development
Alliance, Grayson College, and Workforce Solutions
Texoma was formed. The group’s objective was to
develop a talent pipeline of middle-skills workers for
advanced manufacturing careers. 
“There’s an immediate need to increase the
workforce pool for middle and high-skilled careers
in manufacturing,” said Stacey Jones, Sherman
Economic Development Corporation Vice
President of Business Retention and Expansion,
“Manufacturers in our region are finding it more
and more challenging to replace highly skilled and
knowledgeable workers who are retiring. It’s our
goal to help fill that shortage by attracting and
encouraging Sherman High School students to
enter manufacturing careers.” The committee knew that solutions had to include a
training component that would better prepare quality
candidates for today’s manufacturing environment.
Technology related careers have evolved from
previously perceived “blue collar” jobs, to high-tech
careers for those who have the aptitude and drive
to be successful.  By the end of 2015 this committee
sat down with 27 manufacturers and developed
a curriculum for the Advanced Manufacturing
Program which is now included in the manufacturing
career track at Sherman High School that students
can follow as they earn a Business and Industry
Endorsement
The timing of the tour for eighth grade students
was purposeful. Students were in the process
of making high school course selections and
determining which Endorsement/Career Pathway
option to study during high school when
they toured various manufacturers. The Texas
Education Agency requires all incoming ninth
grade students to select one of five Endorsement/
Career Pathway options (STEM, Business and
Industry, Public Service, Arts and Humanities, or
Multidisciplinary Studies).
Two years ago the Manufacturing Career Cluster
pathway didn’t exist at Sherman High School. The
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Today, Sherman High School offers students two
manufacturing career pathway options that include
rigorous academic courses and hands-on experience.
The Advanced Manufacturing Systems program,
is available to students in grades 10-12 and the
Industrial Maintenance Technology program that is
available only to seniors.
The Advanced Manufacturing Systems Career
Pathway is a comprehensive multi-year program
that started in the fall of 2016 and offers students
free Dual Credit courses in partnership with Grayson