The Skills Training for Enhanced Potential, or STEP, program has been in the Rutherford County School District since 1988. The program is a partnership between the school district and the Nissan plant to teach high school students the ins and outs of plant machinery. The program has had 280 students in 12 years with an average class size of 10. Because it's a late-afternoon class and in addition to a regular class load many students won't take the class, Brock said. Students have to provide their own transportation to the plant, and that has been a problem for some, Brock said.
Students get a half credit toward graduation for the semester-long class.
It is offered during both the fall and spring semesters. The class is open to all students, but priority is given to seniors. The classes have been a mix of races and genders, Brock said. I just think everyone should try it. Smith's class of four students spent most of the semester working with instructor Larry Sullivan, learning the details of hydraulics before attempting to operate the robotic machinery.