Beginning this August, Richmond County high school students who need another path to help them complete their secondary education will have it. “RPM,” a partnership between Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. and the Richmond County School System, will offer students the ability to make up lost ground toward a high-school diploma and earn income and valuable work experience in a manufacturing facility.

An inaugural class of about 75 students will enter the cooperative education program, which will combine an instructional day with a four-hour shift at a manufacturing facility. The facility will produce components and subassemblies for products manufactured by Textron Specialized Vehicles, which manufactures vehicles under the E-Z-GO, Cushman, Bad Boy, TUG and Douglas brands. Potential facility locations are under evaluation.

Besides the manufacturing floor, the facility also will include classroom and educational space to allow students to make progress toward their high-school degree, and earn valuable work experience and income, from a single facility. Students will have the choice between continuing to attend classes in their home high school, or taking coursework at the RPM facility, depending on their specific needs. Besides traditional academic classes, RPM students will also receive training in life skills, and will be provided tutoring resources as needed.

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

“These kids have the smarts and desire to finish a degree, but their circumstances stand in their way,” said Kevin Holleran, president of Textron Specialized Vehicles. “RPM will give them the unique educational path they need to reach their goal, and also provide training in life skills and vocational work experience they can leverage to start their careers afterward.”

“This partnership will provide an unprecedented experience for students in the Richmond County School System who enroll in our manufacturing career pathway,” said Dr. Angela Pringle, superintendent of Richmond County Schools. “Students do not always follow the same path to success, so we must be in the business of meeting the varying needs of our students. This program will expose our students to the world-of-work, in the manufacturing field, as they increase employability skills while they increase their chances of earning a diploma.”

“These are exciting times for our community and we are ecstatic about being a partner with TSV as we continue to strive toward becoming a world-class school system,” Pringle said. 

RPM is modeled after “12 For Life,” a highly successful program of Southwire Company LLC and the Carroll County (Ga.) School System. Since its inception eight years ago, more than 870 students have graduated from the 12 For Life program, and its success has led to the creation of sister programs in Florence, Ala. and Monroe, Ga. 12 For Life has received national attention and acclaim, and Southwire and Carroll County Schools officials have provided valuable knowledge and assistance in the creation of RPM.

RPM’s inaugural class will begin with the start of the 2016-17 academic year in August 2016. Students who are interested in becoming part of RPM should speak to their high-school guidance counselor.