From the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research

Providing both a case study and a how-to guide, the Surry-Yadkin Works Playbook explores an innovative work-based learning program called Surry-Yadkin Works (SYW). Using a collective impact model to bring educators and employers together, SYW implemented a unified approach to connect high school students with internship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities in high-demand fields throughout this mostly rural region. The program operates across all types of careers, and includes nurses, paramedics, administrators, and other healthcare professionals. The program has also led to the creation of several new youth apprenticeship programs, including one of NC’s first youth apprenticeship programs for nurses (LPNs and RNs).

The first section offers a summary of the program, its benefits, and testimonials from both employers and students (p. 4-10). The playbook then describes the Collective Impact conditions that primed the program for success (p. 11) and details key elements of the SYW model, including staffing considerations, funding needs, and collaborative governance (p. 12-19).

Next is an explanation of the strategy, presented as six chronological Steps for Successful Adaptation and Replication, that SYW used to develop their successful regional model (p. 20-28) followed by best practices and lessons learned (p. 29-31).

Finally, the Surry-Yadkin Works Playbook offers links to Tools and Resources (p. 32) as well as Appendices of linked templates, samples, and excerpts (p. 33).

The authors hope that this playbook will guide others in adapting and replicating the Surry-Yadkin Works model to meet their local and regional needs.

McIlwain, V., & J. Jaeger, A., Ph. D. (2023). Surry-Yadkin Works Playbook: A Regional, Cross-Sector Approach to Driving Your Future Workforce. Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research. https://belk-center.ced.ncsu.edu/research-and-insights/reports-and-briefs/surry-yadkin-works-playbook/.