Career Academy Partnership Councils

Strong support from the business community is critical for the success of Career Academies, Smaller Learning Communities designed to offer students rigorous coursework taught in the context of a particular career or theme of study. MNPS, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Alignment Nashville, PENCIL Foundation, and various Nashville business professionals have spent the last year working to organize a successful model for business engagement within the Career Academies. As a result, six industry partnership councils -- Arts, Media & Communications; Business, Marketing & Information Technology; Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Technology; Health; Hospitality & Tourism; and Human & Public Services -- have begun meeting to align business resources and needs with classroom needs and daily student instruction in the district’s Career Academies.

Partnership Councils meet on a regular basis and discuss the best, most effective ways for the business community to get involved with the district’s Career Academies. Types of involvement includes providing industry insight regarding desired skills and training; providing mentorship, internship, and job shadowing opportunities; offering industry certifications; providing professionals to speak to classrooms; donating materials for classroom projects; and much more. These councils will act as oversight committees to ensure all schools and all academies get the resources they need. They also help ensure students receive the education and training sought after by the various industries.

If your business is interested in learning more about your industry’s Partnership Council, please contact Chelsea Heresco with the Nashville Chamber of Commerce at 743-3150.