Five Chicago Public High Schools are partnering with technology companies to offer career training in addition to a traditional high school diploma. Students at those schools will also have the chance to take college credit courses through the City Colleges of Chicago.

IBM, Motorola, Microsoft, Cisco and Verizon will each partner with a high school in creating a curriculum that focuses on math, science, technology and engineering. The companies are also expected to provide internships and job interviews for graduating students.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he reached out to the companies.

“They have a shortage of workers. We have a student population ready to fill those jobs if they have the educational opportunities to do it,” Emanuel said.

The changes will begin with this fall’s freshman class and Emanuel said he wants to see other schools follow this model in the coming years. IBM has developed a blueprint the city can use in creating future partnerships with businesses in other in-demand fields.

The high schools that will offer this new program are: Lake View, Corliss, Michele Clark, Chicago Vocational Career Academy and a new school being built at 7651 S. Homan.