Michigan Business Beat | Machion Jackson, Detroit Public Schools Community District

Originally uploaded September 8th, reloaded September 23rd. Full Title: Michigan Business Beat | Machion Jackson, Detroit Public Schools Community District, Career Pathways, Internships & Employer Partnerships Chris Holman welcomes Machion Jackson, Deputy Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District, Detroit, MI. Chris had several questions for Machion in this conversation: 1. Welcome, Machion. Bring the Michigan business community up to speed on the Detroit Public Schools Community District? 2. Detroit schools are placing a greater focus on career readiness. What are you doing to help students understand the career opportunities available to them and choose a path that fits their interests and strengths? 3. DPSCD offers career programs in areas ranging from advanced manufacturing and construction to health care, aviation, and technology. How are you making sure those programs are connected to the kinds of jobs Michigan employers actually need to fill? 4. Students can gain real-world experience through internships, job shadows, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning. How important are those experiences in helping a young person make the transition from the classroom to the workplace? 5. What role do Detroit businesses play in preparing these students for careers, and what would you say to employers who want to become more involved in developing the next generation of talent? From the Capital Region International Airport, Chris Holman of Michigan Business Beat interviews Detroit Public Schools Community District Deputy Superintendent Machion Jackson about the district’s scale and career readiness efforts. Jackson explains DPSCD serves just under 50,000 students and is Michigan’s largest district, led by Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti with two deputy superintendents. He details the district’s high school redesign, offering career pathways such as dual enrollment, advanced placement, arts, construction, and programs at two career technical education centers. Jackson highlights Davis Aerospace, where students can explore aerospace trades and even work toward a pilot’s license. He also describes employer partnerships—supported by Deputy Superintendent Alycia Meriweather—with organizations like Stellantis and DTE, creating internships and direct workforce pathways, including a manufacturing-focused southeastern annex, plus exploration field trips to introduce students to careers. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: X.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/