A new program to teach high school students’ vocational skills for working in the RV industry will be rolled out at NorthWood High School in Nappanee, Ind., this year, in a partnership with Thor Industries.
This story by Caleb Bauer originally appeared in the South Bend Tribune.
The new RV Construction graduation pathway was approved Wednesday by the Indiana State Board of Education as one of the state’s new “locally created pathways.” The pathway program was approved in December, allowing high schools to develop tailored options for students to gain in-demand skills. Developed hand-in-hand between Wa-Nee Community Schools and Thor Industries, the proposal also was supported by the Horizon Education Alliance and Elkhart Area Career Center.
Wa-Nee Community Schools superintendent Scot Croner said the program is tailor-made to give students the skills they need to fill open jobs in the RV industry. But rather than a single new course, the pathway includes a number of different classes, along with traditional high school courses, for students.
The pathway will feature courses that familiarize students with different power tools, electrical wiring and plumbing, all skills used in building a recreational vehicle. Students who complete the program also receive a Thor certificate and preferential interviewing with the company.
If hired, their probationary period could also be shortened, allowing them to qualify for at least $20-an-hour after just two weeks on the job.
