Tech

How HireSmart Cares Helps Texas High School Drone Program Soar

January 7, 2025

Houston, TX. (December 2024) – HireSmart Cares, a Georgia-based nonprofit dedicated to equipping the next generation with practical skills and opportunities, has awarded a $3,911.93 grant to Evan E. Worthing Early College High School in Houston. The funding supports the school’s drone program, which provides students with valuable training in drone technology and pathways to in-demand careers.

Terry Andre Hayes, a Naval Science instructor and 1979 graduate of Worthing High School, launched the program to introduce his students to drone technology and its career potential. Initially funding the program on his own, Hayes had often sacrificed personal resources to keep the initiative running.

“I spent a couple of nights on the couch,” Hayes joked about the sacrifices he made to sustain the initiative. “But thanks to HireSmart Cares, we now have the equipment and funding to compete at a higher level.”

The grant, delivered by HireSmart ambassador First Sergeant Francisco Ramey, covers the purchase of advanced drones, carrying cases, power packs, maintenance supplies, and transportation costs for competitions.

HireSmart Cares, founded by Mark and Anne Lackey, focuses on providing young people with the 4Ts: Tools, Technology, Teaching, and Time to succeed. By promoting alternatives to traditional four-year degree courses, the nonprofit creates pathways to rewarding careers in industries such as agriculture, trade, and technology.

Students participating in Worthing’s drone program maintain a 3.52 average GPA and are also enrolled in a dual-credit program with Houston Community College, earning tuition waivers and college credits. Hayes hopes the program will not only enhance students’ educational experiences but also prepare them for high-paying jobs in fields such as public safety, real estate, construction, and cinematography.

Drone technology offers students a gateway into a growing industry, with an average annual salary for drone pilots in the U.S. ranging around $82,976, according to Salary.com. HireSmart Cares’ investment in the Worthing drone program exemplifies its broader mission to create opportunities for young people nationwide.

How HireSmart Cares Helps Texas High School Drone Program Soar — Photo Courtesy: Hiresmartcares.org

To empower students to learn and succeed while addressing the increasing need in the workforce in the future, HireSmart Cares focuses on three primary areas:

U.S. Career Development: Providing grant funding and support for a variety of hands-on, job-skill development initiatives.
U.S. Agriculture: Supporting local farming education and infrastructure to sustain agricultural communities.
Filipino Scholarships: Offering educational opportunities to dedicated workers overseas.

Drone technology serves as a prime example of the practical, skills-based education HireSmart Cares champions. The average drone pilot in the U.S. earns approximately $82,976 annually, making it a viable and lucrative career path. Through programs like the one at Worthing High School, HireSmart is creating opportunities for students to gain competitive skills without the financial burden of traditional four-year degrees.

HireSmart Cares is changing the narrative for students, educators, and communities by bridging gaps in education and workforce readiness. Programs like Worthing’s drone initiative equip students with relevant skills, encourage innovation within the educational system, and address the growing demand for a skilled workforce in emerging industries.

HireSmart Cares is committed to empowering the next generation to succeed without the weight of student debt, and through donations and investing in students’ practical education, it is creating alternative pathways. HireSmart Cares invites everyone to help build a future where students, communities, and the workforce can thrive.

To hear Co-founder Mark Lackey talk about HireSmart Cares’ mission, visit hiresmartcares.org/impact. To learn more about HireSmart expanding the drone program to more schools, you may visit their website here.

Contact Lackey at info@hiresmartcares.org, or email First Sergeant Ramey at frameyrotc@gmail.com to learn more.

About HireSmart Cares

Founded in 2021 by Mark and Anne Lackey, HireSmart Cares is a nonprofit organization with a mission to equip the next generation by providing tools, technology, time, and teaching. The organization supports practical, skills-based education and career development through initiatives such as trade school grants, business coaching, and educational scholarships. HireSmart Cares also invests in local agriculture and global education, aiming to empower young people with opportunities to succeed without the financial burden of traditional college pathways.