What Does BOOST-4-IT-T Stand For?

   The Better Occupational Opportunities, Skills, and Training for Information Technology Technicians project

What Is This Project's Goal?

   The Better Occupational Opportunities, Skills, and Training for Information Technology Technicians
   (BOOST-4-IT-T) project at James Sprunt Community College (JSCC) aims to expand access to
   meaningful work-based learning (WBL) experiences for rural IT students in Eastern North Carolina.

Why Is This Project Necessary?

   Many students, especially those from low-income, first-generation, and geographically isolated backgrounds,
   face barriers such as limited access to paid WBL opportunities, lack of transportation, and weak employer
   networks. These challenges limit students' exposure to real-world IT environments, hindering their
   development of essential job readiness skills and a full understanding of the critical role of IT in today's
   technology-driven economy.

How Will This Goal Be Accomplished?

   To address these gaps, BOOST-4-IT-Technicians will identify local WBL barriers, realign the JSCC IT curriculum
   using employer-validated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs), and create a web-based WBL management
   platform. This platform will be designed and developed by the project's first cohort of WBL students, giving
   them hands-on experience building a functional digital tool before participating in external WBL placements.
   Once deployed, the platform will facilitate collaboration among students, faculty, and local employers to
   sustain ongoing, meaningful WBL experiences. In addition to building technical skills, students will explore
   diverse IT roles and assess their long-term career fit. After piloting and refinement, the platform will serve
   as a scalable, sustainable WBL model which can be shared among other rural communities.