New program gives high school students work experience

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - A new program at East High School is giving students real work experience.

Students will be able to learn about trucks, truck parts, and other technical fields as a part of Technical Education for Communities, or TEC.

A program leader says it's the first of its kind in North America

Donated tools are helping Tytianna Pope make her dreams of becoming a transportation lawyer a reality.

"No one wants to hire a transportation lawyer if they don't know anything about diesel engines or electric engines," Pope said.

This East High School 10th grader didn't always know a thing or two about engines. But after being one of the only girls in this class, she wanted to make a statement.

"I pushed through because if they can do it, I definitely can do it," Pope said.

Cummins Inc. launched this first-of-its-kind program in Memphis.

Jenny Bush, Vice President of Cummins Sales and Service North America, says bringing this program to Memphis will help strengthen the city.

She recognized a need for these types of technical skills in the area and also saw there was a gap in qualified candidates.

"They're not going to come out of here the best technicians in the world, but they'll come out of here with the best skills that allow them to gain more from that to go onto their next place in life," Bush said.

Pope's next place in life will hopefully land her as a transportation lawyer. For now, she's just thankful for this opportunity.

"It's really how the real world is and you don't get that in many high schools," Pope said.

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