Can a dual curriculum of construction with career and technical education result in improved economic mobility for students and increase the supply of affordable housing in Greensboro?

The project with Guilford County Schools (GCS) expands the district’s high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum to include elements of affordable housing and green construction. The program's hands-on educational components allow students to engage directly with professional contractors and other technicians to repair local homes and obtain in-demand skills and industry-recognized credentials in green construction, including geospatial technology and LEED building principles.

With the contract award from Fannie Mae, the GCS team will be able to:

• Develop and implement project-based learning modules for students on single-family rehab sites.
• Support students and teachers seeking LEED Green Associate and NCCER Core Construction certifications.
• Expand the supply of green, affordable housing through rehabilitation focused on weatherization.

By the end of the contract with Fannie Mae, GCS expects to have prepared a pipeline of students with the requisite skills to enter careers in the construction industry. They also expect to have rehabilitated affordable housing for low-income people in the community and gained adoption of the dual curriculum at the state level.

Watch the video to see how Guilford County Schools is preparing a future workforce to enter lucrative jobs in construction.

Guilford County Schools is the third largest school district in North Carolina and the 47th largest of more than 14,000 in the U.S., with more than 73,000 pre-K through 12th-grade students at 126 schools. With approximately 10,000 employees, GCS works with parents, businesses, colleges, and the community to deliver an education that connects student interests and skills with the careers and economy of our future, both here and around the world.