In September, Toyota announced its donation of $1 million aimed toward enhancing workforce readiness throughout North Carolina. The donation was split in two, sharing equal donations of $500,000 to:
• Communities in Schools of Randolph County (CiSRC). CiSRC has been serving students in Randolph County for more than 40 years. Their core mission is to help students achieve more in both school and their careers.
• North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T). NC A&T is the local state university that offers a wide range of educational programs to prepare students for their bright futures.
These donations by Toyota aim to increase workforce readiness by expanding exposure to STEAM education.
CiSRC and NC A&T have been some of the strongest proponents of the STEAM education process – not just Randolph County but in North Carolina as a whole. The pair has played a significant role in the success of many of its residents and this donation will help both entities continue their work to improve workforce readiness throughout the state.
• Communities in Schools of Randolph County (CiSRC). CiSRC has been serving students in Randolph County for more than 40 years. Their core mission is to help students achieve more in both school and their careers.
• North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T). NC A&T is the local state university that offers a wide range of educational programs to prepare students for their bright futures.
These donations by Toyota aim to increase workforce readiness by expanding exposure to STEAM education.
What is STEAM education?
STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. Education programs with a focus in STEAM approach knowledge in a way that uses each of these five core categories as entryways to learning. Backed by research, the data shows that these programs positively impact students and help to improve their science, math, and literacy achievements.CiSRC and NC A&T have been some of the strongest proponents of the STEAM education process – not just Randolph County but in North Carolina as a whole. The pair has played a significant role in the success of many of its residents and this donation will help both entities continue their work to improve workforce readiness throughout the state.
“Toyota has long been a proponent of quality education, not just in North Carolina but across the United States.”
Funds distribution
CiSRC and NC A&T plan to use their portion of the donation in unique ways to help grow their STEAM programs:• CiSRC: The grant funds will be used to support nearly 40 years of surrounding students, supporting and empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. The contribution will help several programs within the organization, namely Jobs for America’s Graduates, which offers students a range of services like weekend meals, academic tutoring, mentoring, and financial literacy.
• NC A&T: The start-up grant will help the university’s plans to establish a Toyota STEAM Lab. The lab will be based at the school's College of Education and will be designed for K-12 learners, providing a space where educators can practice teaching with technologies created for use in the primary education sphere.
Preparing the local workforce
Toyota is continuing to invest in the community with the addition of the Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina (TBMNC), which starts production in 2025. Once opened, the facility will add an additional 2,000 jobs to the local economy.Toyota has long been a proponent of quality education, not just in North Carolina but across the United States. This $1 million donation serves as the latest contribution in an effort to improve education and help students achieve more throughout the country.