Auburn Career Center has implemented the Mike Rowe Works S.W.E.A.T. Pledge curriculum to strengthen workplace readiness and life skills among students...
Auburn Adopts S.W.E.A.T. Curriculum
Auburn Career Center has implemented the Mike Rowe Works S.W.E.A.T. Pledge curriculum to strengthen workplace readiness and life skills among students.
The curriculum was introduced during the second semester of the school year, with all Auburn high school instructors receiving professional development training on the program. Auburn’s goal is for every student who attends the Career Center to receive instruction centered around the curriculum’s core workplace and life-readiness principles.
Developed through the Mike Rowe Works Foundation, the curriculum is centered on the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge, which emphasizes work ethic, personal responsibility, delayed gratification and positive attitude.
The principles are reinforced through 12 instructional lessons designed to connect mindset with real-world application. Topics include workplace attitude, lifelong learning, responsibility, perseverance, safety and professionalism.
“The Mike Rowe Works curriculum aligns perfectly with Auburn’s mission because it teaches students something employers everywhere are asking for — dependable people who work hard, take responsibility, and bring a positive attitude every day,” said Joe Glavan, superintendent of Auburn Career Center. “We want every Auburn student to understand that hard work matters, pride in your craft matters, and success is often built through discipline, persistence and grit.”
The curriculum was initially brought to Auburn’s attention by construction technology instructor Corey Dirocco, who helped lead the implementation process.
“This curriculum reinforces the exact skills and attitudes we try to teach students every day in the lab and classroom,” said Dirocco. “Technical ability is important, but employers also want dependable individuals who work hard, take responsibility, and continue learning. This gives us a structured way to reinforce those expectations across every program.”
