In a bright corner of the STEM building at Virginia Western Community College, an 8-foot-tall hydroponics chamber hums quietly. Designed and built by students, the self-sustaining system monitors light, water quality and plant health using automated sensors and industrial controls. It looks like something from a research lab, but it started as a classroom project.

The hydroponics system was brought to life by Timothy Boyd and Daniel Moran, two students in the College’s Mechatronics program, and sponsored apprentices at Steel Dynamics Roanoke Bar Division (SDI). Their work highlights a growing collaboration between the College and SDI, as well as a larger shift to blend technical training with agriculture innovation, giving students the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly automated workforce.

Boyd and Moran were the third cohort of students sponsored by Steel Dynamics, which fully funded their tuition, books, project material and even paid them an hourly wage while they were in class. In return, the company gained skilled, job-ready employees trained to meet its specific needs.

“This opportunity completely changed my path,” said Boyd, who had been working retail while slowly pursuing a degree, having moved to Virginia from Ohio in 2017. “Getting a competitive wage while in school and having everything covered financially allowed me to focus and really grow. It’s been a game-changer.”

Read about their project in this story by Karenna Glover for Impact magazine. Also included: The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) awarded Steel Dynamics with the Outstanding Business Partner award, which recognizes a business partnership that has gone above and beyond to support students and the community they reside in. The award was given Nov. 14 at the Hire Ed Awards ceremony.