HVAC construction instruments maker Field Controls recently hosted an elementary school teacher as part of a weeklong program to expose educators to the skills students need for in-demand jobs.

Carol Clark, a fifth-grade teacher at Pollocksville Elementary School in Pollocksville, North Carolina, spent the week of Aug. 8 at Field Controls’ Kingston, North Carolina, headquarters, spending time with the company’s research, accounting, production, engineering, marketing and other departments.

The visit was part of North Carolina Business Committee for Education’s Teachers at Work program. Along with the state’s community colleges and department of public instruction, it works to educate educators on what skills employers need, so teachers can create lessons to meet them.

“Teachers at Work helps to address the skills gap that many of our state’s businesses are seeing today,” said Sue Breckenridge, NCBCE’s executive director. “Ultimately, this is about economic development and helping to produce a highly skilled workforce pipeline that benefits communities across the state.”

Field Controls was one of 14 regional businesses taking part in the event. Field Controls President Patrick Holleran said it was an important opportunity.

By showing teachers real world work experience, they can better prepare their students for the real work,” he said. “We are glad we can help teachers and their students.”