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November 2022

Governor Kemp and TCSG Announce Historic Apprenticeship Investment

Governor Brian P. Kemp and TCSG announced $1 million in awards for the inaugural Registered Apprenticeships program as part of the High Demand Career Initiative. These investments will create 120 new apprenticeships throughout the state across multiple industries in need of workers following generational investment and job creation in the Peach State, including healthcare, manufacturing, and construction.

TCSG Celebrates Historic Year of Apprenticeships in Georgia During 2022 Apprenticeship Week

TCSG celebrated this year’s National Apprenticeship Week and Georgia Apprenticeship Week by hosting the state’s first-ever Georgia Apprenticeship Summit to highlight the importance of apprenticeships in building a skilled, industry-leading workforce in Georgia. Workforce leaders, Georgia businesses, and community stakeholders gathered to learn about how apprenticeships can expand the state’s workforce, and how employers and communities can access funding and resources provided by TCSG and local technical colleges, which collectively serve as the state’s largest network of Registered Apprenticeship sponsors.

TCSG and Western Governors University Announce Partnership

TCSG and Western Governors University (WGU) signed a partnership agreement to provide greater educational opportunities for TCSG students interested in transferring to WGU upon earning an associate degree from a TCSG college. The agreement provides students with a streamlined approach to higher education access through WGU’s online college courses which are mentor-supported and designed to fit into busy work and home schedules, assisting in the goal of building a future-ready workforce

HOPE High School Equivalency Examination Grant Now Available to Georgians

Eligible Georgians can now earn their high school equivalency diploma for free. Earlier this year, the Georgia General Assembly passed, and Governor Brian P. Kemp signed into law, a bill establishing the HOPE High School Equivalency (HSE) Examination Grant Program. Eligible Georgians will receive an award up to $200 to cover exam fees for a state approved HSE exam. The HOPE HSE Examination Grant will help more Georgians earn their high school equivalency diploma by removing financial barriers. The grant is available to all Georgians who qualify and is currently available for the GED test. For an individual to be eligible to receive a HOPE HSE Examination Grant, they must meet general HOPE requirements and Technical College System of Georgia’s HSE test readiness standards. Georgians can apply once per subject area exam. Adult Education providers across the state also offer free classes with flexible schedules to help Georgians prepare for their HSE test. Grant funds are subject to annual state appropriation and availability of funds.

OFTC Nursing Programs Granted ACEN Accreditation

Oconee Fall Line Technical College’s (OFTC) Practical Nursing and Associate Degree in Nursing Bridge programs were recently granted accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, an agency whose mission is to support the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public by the functions of accreditation. Both OFTC programs were already approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing, but this added outside accreditation puts a trusted third-party organization’s seal of approval on the college’s programs, which assures students and hiring agencies that OFTC students will be high quality, knowledgeable graduates.

Lanier Tech Interior Design Students Help Make a House a Home on “This Old House”

Lanier Technical College’s Interior Design Program prepares students for the lucrative Interior Design Industry. Students within the program gain knowledge about textile and material usage, blueprint reading, knowledge of building codes and systems, computer aided drafting, architecture, furniture history, space planning, color theory, lighting technologies, and vendor communication. The most important aspect that ensures the students’ success upon graduation is the hands-on experience gained through industry partners. Students under the supervision of Lanier Tech Interior Design Program Director, Loren Armour assisted Theresa Ory of Theresa Ory Interiors in styling a renovated home for a televised home improvement show. The program, This Old House, follows the renovation of an 1890s Victorian house in the Metro Atlanta Area that was once owned by South Atlanta’s first postmaster, Luther Price.

33rd Annual Georgia Fall Leadership Conference a Success

On November 18, the 33rd annual Georgia Fall Leadership Conference was held at the Edgar H. Wilson Convention Center in Macon with 350 attendees. The theme of the conference was "Power Through – Spark Your Leadership Potential" and the top four registered colleges were Southern Regional Technical College, Lanier Technical College, Atlanta Technical College, and Georgia Piedmont Technical College.

Attendance at the conference included advisors and student representatives from the Georgia Student Government Association, National Technical Honor Society, SkillsUSA Georgia Postsecondary, and Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate. Additionally, 87 attendees represented a variety of Collegiate Student Organizations that cover a diverse spectrum of activities on their campuses.

The four major organizations requested that conference participants bring toys, books, and items to donate to a variety of charitable organizations. The National Technical Honor Society collected 500 books for Books for Keeps, Georgia Student Government Association collected 285 toys for Toys for Tots, Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate collected 113 toys for The Rainbow House, and SkillsUSA Georgia Postsecondary collected 2001 items for Adventure Bags.

During the conference, attendees participated in a variety of leadership “power hour” sessions covering topics from “What’s Your Leadership Philosophy?” to “Confidence as a Leader: Finding Your Purpose” to “Killing Them Softly: Winning the Day with Your Soft Skills.” Presenters included community and industry leaders as well as college instructors and staff. Erik Robinson, past National FFA Southern Region Vice President, served as the conference keynote speaker. The opening and closing sessions were hosted by the State Officers and 2022 State GOAL Winner, Ryan Degner.