The 2021-2022 school year will open with a vigorous commitment to the ongoing improvement of Launch Career Programs offered within the Rogers School District.  One of the essential elements of continuous improvement is the purposeful cognizance of local and regional workforce demands, as well as the projected growth and replenishment of the current workforce needs within each industry sectors. 

Projected growth in the population, expansion of existing industries and the increase of new business and industries within Northwest Arkansas, will impact the dynamic metrics of the high skill, high wage and in-demand workforce needs.  Jobs relating to Health Science & Service, Industrial Equipment & Technology, Manufacturing and Education are among the areas noted for accelerated growth in the upcoming years. 

Aligning with Employment and Workforce Demands
The Launch Career Programs are designed to align with both the current and projected employment and workforce demands.  The career programs are available to 9^th-12^th grade students during the regular school day, with additional opportunities to attend specialized industry training and certification training through the Extended Learning Program.  There are currently over twenty-seven career programs offered to high school students. Courses are held on the district’s high school campuses, the Rogers Public Schools Career Center and the Secondary Career Center.

Three New Career Programs
In the continued effort to help prepare our students for jobs that align with high skill, high wage and in-demand workforce needs, three new Launch Career Programs will begin in the 2021-2022 school year, including Industrial Equipment Technology, Sports Medicine and the Pre-Educator programs.  The new programs will be offered to 9^th-12^th grade students and will be held on the high school campuses at the Rogers Career Center, which is located on the Heritage High School campus.  Transportation among the four secondary campuses to the Rogers Career Center is provided by the district to ensure that the career programs are accessible for all high school students.

Industrial Equipment Technology
The new Industrial Equipment Technology program courses will be held at the Rogers Career Center.  This program will provide students interested in pursuing careers relating to industrial equipment repair, maintenance, operation, and technology logistics.  Representatives from local industries provided valuable input during the development of the program as members of the advisory council.  Rodney Ellis, Technical Education Liaison with Tyson Foods, Inc. has been an essential member of the advisory council.  He has also provided resources and guidance on industry standard equipment that would provide opportunities for students to obtain beneficial skills sets relating to career opportunities. Brenda Smith, Division HR Manager with the GLAD Corporation was instrumental in developing an Internship program model that would provide students opportunities to participate in an Internship with the GLAD Corporation and explore other careers opportunities with the company.

Sports Medicine
The Sports Medicine program courses will be held at the new sports facility on the Heritage High School campus.
The program will provide an opportunity for students interested in pursuing sports-related health careers such as orthopedics, athletic training, rehabilitation, fitness and training, physical therapy and injury assessment and treatment.  The Sports Medicine program provides a specialized area that correlates to the existing Medical Professions program of study, which remains one of the district’s largest career programs.

Pre-Educator
The Pre-Educator program courses will be offered on each of the district’s three high school campuses.  The program will provide students interested in pursuing a career within education, including elementary or secondary teacher, early childhood education, special education teacher, administrator, school counselor, physical education, coach, career education and instructional assistant.  The Pre-Educator program will offer students authentic work-based learning experiences within several types of educational settings.

How to Learn More
Visit the Launch. Your Future website to learn more about the Launch Career Programs offered to Rogers Public School high school students.  Additional information about career education courses offered to 6^th-8^th grade students can be found on the RPS website at https://www.rogersschools.net/Page/1669