NC DPI's Infographic on Halifax County School's IT Helpdesk Internships and Solar Apprenticeships

1. IT Helpdesk, Tech Team Internships
When the COVID-19 Pandemic began to impact North Carolina
Public Schools (PSUs) in March 2020, an immediate transition
into remote instruction transpired. Students were working from
home through various means, from paper packets and curated
content aired on television to online instructional platforms. Some
PSUs already offered a one-to-one ratio, meaning one device per
student, but many districts did not offer that immediately.
As devices became more available–it’s important to note
that the whole country was basically trying to purchase
more devices for student use–districts shifted to greater
technology distribution and usage. The increase that
didn’t happen during this shift was that of technology
repair staff to fix the devices as repairs were needed.
Halifax County Schools found a solution to that problem
through IT interns who would serve as technicians for the
IT Helpdesk. Dr. Cunningham explained that the concept
of this was to develop a district-based model similar
to that of the well-known Geek Squad (NCBCE, 2021).
With only two people in the district’s IT department, the
interns were a much-needed inclusion. Students were
selected through a teacher recommendation process to
suggest students who they believed would be a good fit
for the class and who would benefit most from it.
Within the IT intern program, Tiffany Taylor, the CompTIA
IT Fundamentals and Computer Engineering Technology I
Teacher at Halifax County Schools’ Northwest Collegiate
& Technical Academy, provided: “Our students will not
only learn to repair computers, but will also have the
opportunity to gain credentials.” She furthered that an
incoming freshman will have the chance to obtain two IT
certifications; CompTIA IT Fundamentals +; and CompTIA
A+. Taylor noted of the program’s purpose: “We wanted
to give our students hands-on experience and make
them employable right out of high school.” It was truly
a focus on workforce development, while also solving
a problem that surfaced as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic.
Student interns gain the 21st century skills they need to perform successfully within
any career. With students being able to actually repair the Chromebooks, it helps to
alleviate some of the duties on the IT department. “This puts the district in a place
where it can repair and return Chromebooks in a timely manner,” stated Taylor.
Student internships are not
a nuance, as the modern
internship has roots as far
back as the 11th century
guild system.1
Within
the educational context,
internships are opportunities to
provide students with avenues
for experiential learning that
prepares students for the
workforce through work-based
skills attainment, as well
as soft skills development.
Essentially, internships offer
students a way to gain relevant
knowledge and skills while
also putting their learning into
practice in an applicable way.
This report details a cross-
curricular approach to
developing and sustaining a
student internship program that
also serves as a student support
services outreach initiative and
service-learning project.
Promising Practices Clearinghouse >> Engaging Students through Work-based Learning
IT Helpdesk Internships
Solar Apprenticeships
HALIFAX COUNTY SCHOOLS
JANUARY 2022
This Promising Practice reflects a
focus on Learning Recovery and
Acceleration, Prioritizing Student
Support Services and Transforming
the Human Capital Pipeline.
www.dpi.nc.gov/about-dpi/
operation-polaris
Navigating
Students Toward
a Brighter Future
LearningRecovery
andAcceleration
Strengthening
Literacy
StudentSupport
Services
HumanCapital
Reforming
Accountability
&Testing
District&School
Transformation
PRACTICE DESCRIPTION

2. Solar Apprenticeships
In order to support students through learning recovery
and acceleration while also seeking to engage–or
perhaps re-engage after a tumultuous year of remote
and blended instruction–districts developed summer
programming for the 2021 summer. One such program
in Halifax County Schools was the Solar Apprenticeship
program. The program began as a pilot program in the
summer of 2021, and it was called the Lighthouse
Energy Solar Camp. It was an intentional effort to
offer 20 high school students an authentic learning
opportunity that consisted of coursework and skills-
based training. Students focused on the Three E’s:
Education, Enforcement, and Engineering. Students
learned about solar and wind energy, with the
opportunity to earn a tangible credential. This program
is the country’s first clean energy youth apprenticeship
program in solar energy.
Focusing on the motto of “Earn While You Learn,”
students who complete the program earn a Solar
Workforce Certificate, as well as three certifications:
OSHA 10 - Construction, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Level, and Working Smart.4
Students took courses
Monday through Friday and even spent some Saturdays building the solar panels.
Three employers support this program by entering into a collaborative agreement that
after the 96 hours of coursework and certifications, students will embark on 80 hours
of on-the-job training at one of the three employers who deeply value the industry
credentials that these students are obtaining through this program. Those employers
include Strata Clean Energy, Roanoke Electric, and Enviva. Students remarked that
this entire experience was practical and was “broken down” into ways that they could
understand and practically apply (NCBCE, 2021).
Stakeholder Involvement
Stakeholders involved both community members and district employees. The
North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), under the leadership
of Executive Director Caroline Sullivan, was a major contributor to both initiatives.
Regarding the Solar Apprenticeships program, multiple partners collaborated
worked alongside the district and NCBCE to ensure the program was developed and
supported - State Energy Office, NC A&T University, Apprenticeship NC, Halifax
Community College, and the Center for Energy Education.
Both the IT Helpdesk and Solar Apprenticeships programs involved many internal
stakeholders, a well. Such stakeholders included district leadership, department
heads, teachers, parents, and students. All parties came together to develop a plan
that would fit the district’s needs, as well as stay aligned to DPI standards and result
in certifications. Particular attention was also given to the industry needs of the
community, as well; preparing students for opportunities within their community and
home state were important factors in establishing these work-based learning programs.
Associated Costs
NCBCE fully funded the IT Helpdesk program. They provided the replacement parts,
tool sets, anti-static mats, etc. to ensure that the district had what it needed to get the
program up and running. Much of the funding was used to give the district a stockpile
of parts that would become essential in the anticipated device repairs. Caroline
Sulivan explained of the funding: “The program was funded by CARES/GEER in the
NC Student Connect initiative. This also included the 87,000 hotspots, 4 conferences,
and all of the Park and Learns.” The funding for this initiative ended in December 2021.
“Work-based learning
directly addresses North
Carolina’s growing need for
skilled workers by providing
students and job seekers
with opportunities to engage
in career awareness, career
exploration and career
experiences. These activities
connect classroom learning
with real-world learning
ensuring North Carolinians are
better prepared for the jobs of
today and tomorrow” (Experience
More, 2021).
Work-based learning includes
apprenticeships; business/
industry field trips; cooperative
education; entrepreneurial
experiences; internships;
job shadowing; mentorships;
school-based enterprise; and
service learning (NCDPI CTE, 2021).
In a comparison of American
workers and workers from 21
other countries, American
workers are not performing as
well as workers in other
countries that have a
comparable college completion
rate; further, the findings reveal
the need for a talent pipeline
that prepares young people for
the workforce in a more
authentic, meaningful way, such
as through work-based learning
(WBL) like that of internship
opportunities. However,
investing in young people to
provide meaningful, skills-based
opportunities is something that
all employers can do if they so
choose, according to Jobs for
the Future.1
Such opportunities
provide several key meaningful
results if an employer takes the
time to invest in the continuum
of work-based learning:
• Development of a more
robust talent pipeline.
• Access to a diverse and
innovative workforce.
• Branding opportunities,
increased name recognition,
and positive press.
• Economic development that
boosts business prospects.
RESEARCH

3. NCBCE was also a leading funder toward the Solar Apprenticeship program. Given
that the Lighthouse Energy Solar Camp included meals and transportation, NCBCE
picked up those two major costs through grant funding.
All stakeholders invested countless resources (time, funding, etc.) into the Solar
Apprenticeship program, as well as the IT Helpdesk program.
Barriers and Roadblocks
A major roadblock to the IT Helpdesk internship program is continued funding, but
NCBCE is seeking additional COVID relief funds to extend the program for 2022.
Throughout the inception of both programs, hurdles and setbacks happened,
but the district remained committed to supporting the needs of the students.
Dr. Cunningham’s investment in the district and each and every student kept the
purpose at the center in order to make both programs a reality.
Measurement of Success
When the pandemic began and remote instruction was the priority method of
instructional delivery, the district had a problem of not having enough IT staff to repair
devices, and the IT Helpdesk resolved that issue. Students learned how computers
work and how to repair them. Not only did students earn certifications, but they also
gained practice experience in career fields that are in high demand.
Similarly, students in the Solar Apprenticeship program gained certifications
and authentic experience that could lead toward furthering their education and
employment. Additionally, multiple partnerships were formed throughout the creation
of the program, and that has resulted in greater district-community networks.
Future Plans
Technology for the purposes
of remote or blended
instruction is a part of the
academic landscape, and
if funding is available, the
district will continue the
IT Helpdesk internship
opportunity for students
because of the win-win
for both students and the
district IT support needs.
Halifax County Schools
will also continue its Solar
Apprenticeship program,
and NCBCE reports that five
additional North Carolina
public school districts
plan to replicate a similar
program in 2022.
1
Taylor Research Group (2014). A brief history of the internship. Retrieved from https://www.taylorresearchgroup.com/
news/2017/4/5/a-brief-history-of-the-internship
2
Jobs for the Future (2015). Not as Hard as You Think: Engaging High School Students in Work-Based Learning.
3
NCBCE Annual Meeting (2021). North Carolina Business Committee for Education. Retrieved from
https://www.nccareerlaunch.org/ncbce-annual-meeting-good-news-across-the-state
4
Porter, F. (2021). Governor Cooper visits innovative apprenticeship pilot preparing students for clean energy jobs:
Halifax Lighthouse Solar Camp in Weldon is the first program of its kind in the state. Governor’s Office, North Carolina.
Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3qRVTIP
District Snapshot
• One of Halifax County Schools’
goals is to produce productive
citizens, and that effort is
evidenced in the district’s
approach to student engagement
with opportunities that interest
students and prepare them to be
post-secondary prepared.
Size
~2000 Students
~220 Teachers
732 Square Miles
Dr. Eric Cunningham
Superintendent
WESTERN
NORTHWEST
PIEDMONT-TRIAD
NORTH
CENTRAL NORTHEAST
SOUTHEAST
SANDHILLS
SOUTHWEST
Newton-
Conover
Hickory
Asheville
Kannapolis
Mt. Airy
Elkin
Asheboro
Chapel
Hill
Clinton
Whiteville
Roanoke
Rapids
Weldon
City
Lexington
Thomasville
State Board of Education Regions
NC’s WORK-BASED LEARNING NAVIGATOR – Connecting classroom learning with
career learning
https://wblnavigator.org/web
Additional Resource
Seeking to educate and provide wrap-around
services for the whole child of each and every
student, each and every single day. 2
All photos courtesy Halifax County Schools
Halifax County Schools >> https://www.halifax.k12.nc.us