Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., a Textron Inc. company, and the Richmond County School System are excited to celebrate that their Reaching Potential Through Manufacturing (RPM) program has produced 400 graduates since its inception.

With 10 graduates earning their high-school diploma 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 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.

Students complete coursework at the RPM facility depending on their specific needs. Besides traditional academic classes, RPM students also receive training in life skills, and are provided additional tutoring resources.

The program draws students from all Richmond County high schools. Students apply for the program, and are selected for participation by Richmond County School System officials based upon need and the suitability of the program to help in their specific situation.

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.