Southeast Tech Partners with Industry to Offer Horticulture and Construction Summer Academies for High School Students

Southeast Technical College is offering two Career Academy programs where high school students can make money, earn high school and college credit, and gain valuable work experience in either construction or horticulture. 

“The career academies are essentially structured like a traditional internship, in that students work with employers, gain valuable hands-on experience in the field they are interested in, and earn a paycheck,” said Jason Merritt, Interim Dean of Curriculum and Instruction for Industrial Trades at STC. “What takes them one step further is the added bonus of earning academic credits that count towards both high school and college.”

For the Construction Career Academy, classroom courses include Construction Basics and Print Reading for Construction. Participating students will earn five credits that are applicable to Southeast Tech’s General Construction certificate or associate degree in Construction Management Technology.

For the Horticulture Career Academy, students complete Horticulture Science lecture and lab and earn three credits toward an associate degree in Horticulture Technology or Sports Turf Management.

With both options, students will interview with industry professionals to secure their acceptance and start on-the-job training. Starting dates will vary by business, as will the rate of pay. Classes for both options start May 30, 2023.

“Through partnerships with industry, leading companies in the region look to invest in the future,” said Merritt. “In turn, we are able to offer high school students exciting opportunities to gain work experience and earn college credit, while maintaining STC’s mission to help feed the workforce needs of our region.”

Construction Career Academy        Construction Management Technology Programs

Horticulture Career Academy         Horticulture Programs