New from Livability: Hard Work Starts Here
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Partnerships Keep a Pipeline of Talent Flowing in Surry County
In Surry County, the three public school systems—Surry County Schools, Mount Airy City Schools and Elkin City Schools—help shape adults ready to meet the demands of an increasingly technical and global economy. By investing in innovative career and technical education (CTE) programs, and collaborating with the local business community, higher education institutions and each other, these school districts ensure students graduate with the skills and experience necessary to thrive in a competitive job market.
Top of Their Class
Surry County Schools boasts an expansive menu of CTE offerings. Students have access to hands-on learning opportunities in fields such as advanced manufacturing, health care and information technology, preparing them for high-demand regional careers.
Mount Airy City Schools students have access to SparkNC, which introduces students to technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. The district is recognized as one of the top 10 districts in the state, and Mount Airy High School was named a 2025 AP School Honor Roll Gold recipient for its high performance on AP exams.
With its smaller size, Elkin City Schools is able to deliver a personalized educational experience that connects students directly to workforce opportunities. Dual enrollment through the North Carolina Career & College Promise (CCP) program allows high school students to earn free college credits and certifications, giving them a head start on their careers.
All three school districts partner with Surry-Yadkin Works, a program that actively engages students in career development through career exploration programs, job shadowing, pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships with local businesses.
A Powerful Partnership
"What makes this partnership especially unique is the level of shared leadership. All three superintendents serve on the executive board of Surry-Yadkin Works, giving them direct input into program design, guidance and structure," says Crystal Folger-Hawks, executive director of Surry-Yadkin Works.
That alignment allows education, business and community partners to stay closely connected and focused on a shared goal—preparing students for success beyond high school.
The program brings together public schools, regional businesses and Surry Community College to create a pipeline of skilled talent to growing industries. Since its inception, the program has served 1,000 high school and adult students who earn both classroom credit and credentials and a paycheck for their training.
“We’ve seen students discover career paths they hadn’t previously considered and transition directly into employment or registered apprenticeships after graduation. Across all industries, we consistently see students earning credentials, gaining clarity about their future and building a strong foundation for long-term success,” Folger-Hawks says.
One example she cites is of a student who started the program as a certified nursing assistant pre-apprentice in high school, then continued as an apprentice while attending Surry Community College to become a registered nurse. “By the time they graduated, they had four years of real-world experience and were promoted to charge nurse within six months,” Folger-Hawks says. “That kind of trajectory shows the true power of these experiences. Students aren’t just prepared; they’re confident and ready to contribute on day one of full-time employment.”
Career Readiness
Surry-Yadkin Works partners with more than 200 businesses across Surry and Yadkin counties, representing a wide range of industries, from manufacturing, education and construction to public safety and skilled trades. “We couldn’t do it without our business and industry partners,” says David Shockley, president of Surry Community College. “Their collaboration creates an enriching learning environment for our students by bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. In academia, we often teach in labs, simulating real-world scenarios as best we can, but there’s nothing like experiencing it firsthand.” Through pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships and internships, students gain not only technical expertise but also critical soft skills. Troubleshooting real-life problems on a job site, interacting with equipment and learning to navigate client relationships are all skills students will need to succeed, Shockley says.
Folger-Hawks says hands-on training is at the heart of the program’s success.
“Our primary role is to ensure students don’t just learn about careers, but they actively engage in them, gaining the skills, habits and confidence needed to succeed in the workforce,” she says. “At the same time, this creates a mutual benefit for our local economy, allowing businesses in a rural community to build a strong, sustainable talent pipeline by investing in and developing their future workforce early.” – Teree Caruthers
Download or Check out the Full Magazine Below!
