Oak Ridge High School CTE Program Helps Students Take Flight

©Journal Communications/Misty Wong

Oak Ridge High School’s career and technical education (CTE) program has become a linchpin in the region’s economic and workforce development efforts, notably through its aviation and welding programs. 

The symbiotic relationship between these CTE initiatives and the local economy has sparked a transformation, where students not only receive specialized training in high-demand fields but also contribute directly to the growing workforce needs of East Tennessee’s industries. 

Skills Player 

“We perform a comprehensive local needs assessment every two years. We look at the Tennessee School Boards Association’s data dashboard, which includes the 16 career clusters aligned with our region, to learn about the most in-demand careers and the salary ranges of those careers,” says Holly Cross, supervisor of career readiness and communications for Oak Ridge Schools. “Then, we can use that data to make sure that our programs are aligned to the demand in our area — not just in Oak Ridge, but also in our surrounding counties and in Tennessee.” 

Cross says the success of the high school’s CTE program is due, in no small part, to partnerships with local businesses. 

The program seeks advice from advisory boards across all career clusters, which include industry and postsecondary partners, Chambers of Commerce in Oak Ridge and Anderson County, and the East Tennessee Economic Council. 

“We ask them, ‘What does your establishment need from us, how can we better prepare tomorrow’s workforce for you, and how can you help us get there?'” Cross says. 

Oak Ridge Schools/Holly Cross

Aviation Program Soars High 

A prime example is the partnership with AVZ Aviation, the region’s only Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 141 flight school. The Oak Ridge High School (ORHS) program works with AVZ to offer a curriculum that covers various aspects of aviation, including aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology and drone technology. 

“There is a dearth of pilots right now because many pilots are retiring. We’re close to McGhee Tyson Airport (which serves the Knoxville area). The proximity to the airport and the need for pilots, as well as air traffic controllers and trained airframe and powerplant technicians, prompted us to build a strong aviation program. We can fill a workforce need while also keeping students in our own community,” Cross says. 

One of the key strengths of the ORHS aviation program is its commitment to hands-on learning. Thanks to the AVZ Aviation partnership, students can participate in immersive experiences, including field trips to aviation facilities, interaction with industry professionals and internships that provide real-world exposure. Students not only engage in classroom learning but also have the chance to apply their knowledge through flight simulations and actual flight time. Some students can even graduate with their pilot’s license. 

Sparking Success 

Oak Ridge Schools received a $200,000 grant in 2020 to build skills training programs for welding, automotive and aviation courses and a $50,000 Perkins Reserve Grant in 2022 to expand opportunities for students in welding careers. 

The grant enabled the school to improve ventilation in the welding lab and remodel the space to allow for more collaborative learning. 

“Hands-on learning and projects occur inside the classroom rather than in a separate space,” Cross says, “so you can have multiple types of learning going on at the same time. We also put a giant garage door in so that students can bring in large-format projects on a trailer and work on real-world problems.” 

Under the guidance of experienced instructors, students engage in practical exercises, honing their welding techniques using state-of-the-art equipment. Cross says the program strongly emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork — essential skills valued not only in the welding industry but across various professional landscapes. 

“We want to make sure that we stay current on our equipment and that we’re providing state-of-the-art experiences for our students so that we’re actually preparing them for skills they will need in a real industry,” Cross says.