WINTER 2003 GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION SchForooml toSkill How high school students are getting a jump on college and careers THE THOMASTON TURNAROUND Town and technical college respond to crisis MAKING A DIFFERENCE Celebrating Adult Literacy success FROM THE COMMISSIONER IF I HAD TO NAME one goal for Georgia's Technical College System, Adult Literacy Programs and Economic Development Programs, it would be to create opportunity for our state's citizens. Through a combined, coordinated effort, we at the DTAE work to develop programs, perform outreach and provide support so that citizens and businesses can work together to benefit each other. When the right training matches up with the right business opportunity, we can say that we've done our job. Today, literacy and technical training continue to be essential for the economic health of our state and country. But creating prosperity is also an ensemble act. In this issue of Results, you can read about some of the activities that we at the DTAE have been involved in as we contribute to the state's effort to get through tough times and help make the future possible. For example, our high school collaborative programs are being developed to allow students to jump-start their careers even before graduation. Last year, more than 7,000 high school students took advantage of these opportunities. Our Work Ethics program -- included in the curricula of all our technical colleges -- helps students learn and understand some of the fundamental values that both build character and allow for advancement on the job. And, our system of technical colleges provides resources that help communities respond quickly in times of challenge, as you'll read about in the story on Thomaston, Ga. That's what I mean about creating opportunity. It's about allowing people and businesses to make the most of the resources available. Our job is to work closely with Georgia's management team to create opportunities for our citizens, for you, to get a head start, to fulfill a dream, to face adversity and attain success. We're dedicated to those goals. Kenneth H. Breeden Commissioner State Board of Technical and Adult Education William S. Harris Sr. Chair Harold R. Reynolds Vice Chair Helen W. Mathis Executive Secretary Jimmy Allgood George L. Bowen III James T. Chafin III Delma DeLaFuente Joshua R. Diaz Sharon H. Douglas Gwendolyn P. Goodman James C. Harrington Jr. Warren "Rhubarb" Jones Jim Lord Dr. Alma G. Noble Patricia C. Oettmeier Jack Pezold Wesley Rakestraw Daniel B. Rather Edgar L. Rhodes Jimmy Tallent Ben J. Tarbutton Jr. Administration Kenneth H. Breeden Commissioner Chuck Beall Assistant Commissioner, Technical Education Jean DeVard-Kemp Assistant Commissioner, Adult Literacy Programs Debbie Dlugolenski Assistant Commissioner, Information Technology, Planning and Development Laura Gammage Assistant Commissioner, Administrative Services Jackie Rohosky Assistant Commissioner, Economic Development Programs RESULTS Winter 2003 Vol. 6, No. 1 ISSN 1098-0555 Results is published by the Office of Economic Development Programs at the Department of Technical and Adult Education. Articles may be reprinted with permission. Director of Communications Rodger Brown Editor Vicki Phillips Contributing Writers Killian Edwards, Suzette Hill, Lauren Keating, Greg Land, Carol Badaracco Padgett Graphic Design Digital Impact Design Photography Sue Clites, Leita Cowart, David Greear Send requests for additional information or comments to the Editor, Results, 1800 Century Place Suite 300, Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, Atlanta, GA 30345-4304. (404) 679-1700. E-mail: Results@georgiaquickstart.org View Results online at http://www.dtae.org DTAE is an equal opportunity employer. TABLE of CONTENTS 4 4 Tech Talk Quick Start trains Saint-Gobain glass decorators in Hancock County ... Hammerin' Hank goes to bat for metro students ... DTAE stats continue to climb ... Training in mine safety key to local firms ... and more. 8 Good Conduct 8 Teaching life skills along with technical skills, Georgia's technical college system has a work ethics program in place at every one of its schools. 10 Making a Difference The annual Adult Literacy celebration gathered some 1,300 attendees to study, share and applaud the strides made in advancing literacy throughout Georgia. 14 From School to Skill High school students are getting a jump-start on both college and career by 14 taking technical education courses even before they graduate. 19 The Thomaston Turnaround With the help of the CMS program and other resources at Flint River Tech, Thomaston is rebounding after the demise of several textile mills. 24 Georgia's New Gold Standard The trophy case is filling up, with Georgia students winning numerous awards in several nationwide competitions sponsored by student organizations. 19 28 Reading Lights Five Georgia communities have worked diligently in a decade-long quest to achieve the prestigious status of Certified Literate Community. 31 Men at Work Fatherhood program gains nationwide attention for teaming state agencies to train and find jobs for noncustodial dads. 33 President's Perspective 24 Terry Elam explains how Augusta Technical College forges community bonds, all the while preparing students for lives of meaningful work. About the cover: The corridors of Okefenokee Technical College are alive with high-achieving high school seniors starting college early thanks to the postsecondary options program. From left are Raven Harris, completing core requirements for Respiratory Therapy; Michael Rowan, studying electronics; and Candice Walker, taking core classes for Radiologic Technology. (Cover photo by David Greear) 33 TechTaN lEkW STecF hR OTMalkG TechTalk E O R G I A ' S Leading the Way The past accomplishments and future goals of Georgia's technical college system were the topics of seminars and workshops at the 2002 Leadership Conference held in Savannah this past October. The conference was a combined meeting of the Technical College Directors Association and the Technical College Foundation Association. Attendees focused their attention on the challenges of budgeting, fundraising and economic development posed by current economic conditions. Held at the Trade and Convention Center on the Savannah River, the threeday event featured speeches by several elected officials, all of whom commended the achievements of the local boards and foundations that help direct operations at the state's technical colleges. A legislative forum gave conference- goers a chance to pose questions to a panel of Georgia state legislators. Also on the agenda were workshops on community advocacy, financial management, and business and industry collaborations. R QUICK START HELPS LAND FIRM IN RURAL COUNTY French-based Saint-Gobain recently opened a new plant in rural Hancock County, helping a job-needy area recover from textile mill closures. The plant will employ approximately 200 people to decorate the perfume bottles made at Saint-Gobain's glass-blowing plant in Covington. The company considered locating the decorating plant in Mexico, but ultimately chose to build it in Georgia Patricia Ward inspects bottles at the new SaintGobain decorating plant. because of state initiatives such as workforce training from Quick Start. Another key incentive was construction funds from the OneGeorgia Authority. Together with Sandersville Technical College, Quick Start provided training in productivity enhancement, manufacturing technology and computer skills, as well as job-specific training on the plant's decorating machines, its frosting operation, and ink mixing and color matching. Quick Start's efforts in rural Georgia are considerable, with 54 percent of last year's training projects taking place outside metro Atlanta. R 4 DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION k TechTalk TechTalk T E C H N I C A L COLLEGE SYSTEM SHINING Bright University of Georgia professor Dr. Doug Bachtel led the lineup of special guests at Lighthouse Institute 2002, the 7th annual gala honoring excellence in teaching. Presidents of the technical colleges and divisions each selected up to four outstanding teachers to attend the event, held Sept. 10-11 in Macon. Lighthouse Institute rewards effective teaching by allowing attendees to share teaching skills with peers and gain knowledge from innovators like Bachtel. A professor of housing and consumer economics, Bachtel related the demographic, economic and social factors that distinguish Georgia and foretell the future of technical education in this state. For example, 53.7 percent of Georgia firms have fewer than five employees, and since small companies have neither the time nor resources to train workers, technical colleges stand poised to fill this need. Other distinguished speakers at the event included Dr. George Baker III, professor emeritus at North Carolina State University's Department of Education and Psychology; Dr. James McKenney, VP of economic development and international programs at the American Association of Community Colleges; and Dr. Timothy Mescon, dean of the School of Business at Kennesaw State University. R Doug Bachtel shares demographic data that will impact trends in technical education. Chris Firor and other Gwinnett Tech students are learning the latest in iSeries technology. A steady stream of technology The collaboration works like this: IBM professionals versed in IBM's widely used leases iSeries hardware to Gwinnett Tech at iSeries platform 1 percent of the are emerging from Gwinnett Technical College, which graduated more than 400 such students last year. With some 490,000 iSeries HELP WANTED: piSeroriess normal leasing cost. Lever8 Solutions pays that 1 percent -- which means free hardware for student use. IBM provides software for the iSeries, the first systems installed year of hardware around the maintenance world, this networking and unlimited access to its server is the No. 1 e-com- educational sites at no cost. merce server in the world In addition, project part- and supports a variety of ners Rock-Tenn and Inter programming languages, American Data give free tech- databases and business nical support. applications. As a result, "Our financial commit- leading businesses are continually seeking ment to the iSeries project has enabled employees with iSeries platform knowledge. Gwinnett Tech to upgrade to the latest hard- To help fill that need locally, Gwinnett ware and software technology, in order to Tech participated in IBM's Partnership in broaden the capabilities they offer to the Education program and teamed with the corporate world," says Bob Broome, who ran Atlanta office of Palarco, an IBM business the Atlanta branch of Palarco prior to the partner and systems integrator. (The merger. "Our company, and local industry in Pennsylvania-based company has since general, recognizes that Gwinnett Tech is a merged with another IT firm and was great resource for providing qualified informa- renamed Lever8 Solutions.) tion technology professionals." R RESULTS 5 TechTalk TechTalk TechTal N E W S FROM GEORGIA'S Hank Aaron has stepped up technicians, attending classes at night and to bat for the home team, launching a working at one of four Atlanta BMW program that leads outstanding Atlanta dealerships during the day. Technical College students to lucrative After graduating in September, all careers with BMW after graduation. five students were hired by the dealer- An Atlanta Tech board member and ships. BMW-certified technicians earn an a BMW dealer, Aaron sought to address the average salary of $55,000 -- up to severe shortage of skilled auto mechanics $75,000 in some parts of the country. trained in the BMW system. He is responsi- BMW plans to implement the ble for brokering a partnership between MetroSTEP program nationwide. R Atlanta Tech and BMW of North America. After a rigorous screening and selection process, five students were chosen to participate HANK: in the pilot program, called MetroSTEP. The students were immersed in the BMW culture through Still Hammerin' a comprehensive, 11-week training program to become BMW-certified At the graduation ceremony are, from left, Philip Capossela, BMW of North America VP of Southern Region; Dr. Brenda Watts Jones, Atlanta Tech president; MetroSTEP students Asante Johnson, Derek Carter, Jason Terrell, Jonathan King and Brandon Brown; and Hank Aaron, Atlanta Tech board member and BMW dealer. 6 DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION The Great Pumpkin This 3,000-pound cannon won the annual pumpkin-roll competition at North Georgia Technical College in October. Using parts donated by local businesses, the Industrial Systems Technology Department designed and built the cannon, and the Welding Department fabricated a catapult. A 500-gallon tank of compressed air propelled the 10-pound pumpkin a distance of 1,722 feet. The Math Department estimated the muzzle velocity to be at least 200 mph. R THOUSANDS SERVED Numbers Keep Rising Graduates from Georgia's technical colleges: 1992.....................................8,404 2002...................23,624 High School students involved in technical college programs: 2000.....................................3,783 2002.....................7,361 (See related story on page 14) Graduates from Adult Basic Education, GED and English Literacy Program: 1992...................................40,069 2002...................70,918 Technical Certificates of Credit issued: 1996.......................................429 2002....................2,767 Quick Start trainees: 1992...................................10,264 2002...................41,801 lk TechTalk TechTalk T E C H N I C A L COLLEGE SYSTEM Mining Firms Laud Safety Program Marble, granite and kaolin companies rely on technical colleges to help ensure safe mining operations Last summer, the nation cheered as Safety and Health Training program in 1986 nine Pennsylvania miners were rescued from to help Georgia's mining businesses comply the depths of the earth. For three days, the with standards mandated by the federal Mine men were trapped beneath 200 feet of stone. Safety & Health Act: New miners must com- The miners communicated their loca- plete 24 hours of training to work at tion with an emergency mining "As surface mines; underground miners code: nine taps, one for each man. "The plan worked. They had obviously far as I'm concerned, the Georgia must complete 40 hours of training; and all miners must complete eight hours of annual refresher training. received a lot of training," says Glenn Rasco, Appalachian Technical program is the Required training includes best there is." hazard recognition, electrical safety, health topics and College VP of economic KEN STOCKTON first aid. development. Rasco also Director of Safety and Health, Hanson Aggregate Appalachian Tech served serves as program director of Southeast more than 9,000 miners and the Georgia Mine Safety and mining contractors in 2001. About 85 Health Training Program at Appalachian percent of the training is completed onsite at Tech, which offers extensive training to the mining companies. Georgia miners and mining contractors. For years, Georgia's mining industry has Rasco, a veteran of Georgia's under- had the lowest incident rate in the nation -- a ground marble mines, recalls that his hardhat statistic attributable in part to the training featured a decal with the same code that the provided by Appalachian Tech's mine safety Pennsylvania miners used. "As the program over the past 16 years. "Considering Pennsylvania incident reveals, mining is a that Georgia ranks near the top in mining hazardous business," he says. "The incident employee hours worked each year, this low only highlights the importance of training." incident rate is impressive," says Nancy Appalachian Tech founded its Mine Proffitt, Appalachian Tech president. In addition to providing safety training, Appalachian Tech's program has expanded to include other training areas. In response to mining industry needs, Rasco says, the school introduced courses in management development, defensive operator and electrical maintenance. Local industry applauds the program. Ken Stockton is director of safety and health for Hanson Aggregate Southeast, which mines granite, gravel and sand. "Hanson has operations all across the United States and the world," he says. "As far as I'm concerned, the Georgia program is the best there is. If we have a problem area -- like with cranes or electrical training -- they will respond by producing safety programs that help us train our people in those areas." Sandersville Technical College launched its mine safety program in July 2001. "One of the reasons we got involved is that almost one-fourth of mining in Georgia is done in our part of the state," says Jack Sterrett, Sandersville Tech president. "We hope to expand the program and train all the miners in our five-county area." Mining in middle Georgia is for kaolin, a white chalky mineral used to coat paper or to pigment ceramics and paint. The kaolin deposit that runs in a line from Macon to Augusta is one of the world's largest, so the mining and refining of this "white gold" powers the economies of several central Georgia counties. "We've trained about 2,000 miners so far," says Grayson Upton, Sandersville Tech's business and industry services programs coordinator, and a 17-year veteran of the kaolin mining industry. Flexibility and experience are key program strengths, says Gail Brown, environmental health and safety manager for kaolin processor J.M. Huber Corp. in Sandersville. "We have a 24-hour operation, and Grayson has done a fantastic job of accommodating our schedule," she says, adding that his vast industry experience is another plus. "He understands from a management perspective and an hourly-worker perspective -- both sides of the coin." Alan Pryor, Huber's director of paper operations-Americas, also commends Sandersville Tech. "We could not have accomplished the leaps in safety performance without their help," he says. R RESULTS 7 Heather Meeks, an information systems student at Valdosta Technical College, has firsthand experience with shoddy work ethics. During a recent shopping trip, she went unnoticed by a store clerk, who was chatting on the phone and didn't even acknowledge her presence. Meeks was taken aback. "It bothers me when I go somewhere and don't see good work ethics," she says. "It's just the simple things, like being on time and being friendly. You are representing your company." All 34 Georgia technical colleges incorporate a Work Ethics program into every course, every week, every quarter. Teachers review important traits such as attendance, appropriate dress, respect and attitude. "Employers tell us over and over again that a primary need of theirs is employees who possess good work ethics," says Valdosta Tech President James Bridges, who helped lead the early development of the Work Ethics program. The DTAE state board adopted the work ethics concept to be taught at all technical colleges in the early 1990s, Bridges recalls. "In about 1997, Dr. Breeden asked the presidents and faculties of East Central Tech, Southeastern Tech and Valdosta Tech to enhance the Work Ethics program," he says. The current program, which debuted in Fall 1999, was enhanced with teacher- led student activities and a standardized curriculum and evaluation system. The success of the Work Ethics program has sparked interest across the country. "We have presented this program nationwide at numerous technical colleges and high schools," says Dr. Diane Harper, president of East Central Technical College. The Work Ethics program centers on 10 key traits: attendance, charac- "We have ter, teamwork, appearance, attitude, productivity, organization, communication, cooperation and respect. For each week of the presented this program nationwide at numerous technical colleges and high schools." Dr. Diane Harper, President of East Central Technical College 10-week quarter, teachers must spend time talking about one trait. Teaching methods include discussion, role-playing, case studies and team-building exercises. "Luckily, they are not just reading from a piece of paper," Meeks says. "I've had a couple of teachers take a whole class period and talk strictly about work ethics and open the floor to discussion." Meeks' favorite team-building activity required students to tape a piece of paper to their backs. "People walked around and would write a compliment on the paper," she explains. "Even if they didn't like you, they still had to write a compliment. It was a way of [learning to] just say the good, not the bad." At the end of the quarter, students receive a separate grade in work ethics, which is recorded on student tran- GO COND Work ethics training scripts. Employers are encouraged to review the transcripts. Once a student graduates and obtains a job, the technical while creating college contacts the new employer. "We have geared this follow-up to our work ethics evaluation form, listing the 10 traits," says Gwen Riggins, director of instruction at East Central Tech. Southeastern Technical College President Dr. Cathryn Meehan says, "This BY LAUREN 8 DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION will give our students the skills they need to successfully com- pete in the workforce and give our employers the skilled employees they need to make their businesses prosper." For industry representatives, the need for work ethics train- ing is painfully clear. A recent study by the National Association of Manufacturers cited a dire lack of workforce readiness skills such as "showing up on time, staying all day, listening to the team and working with the team," says Phyllis Eisen, vice president of NAM's Manufacturing Institute. "Almost 70 percent of our members said the lack of workforce readiness is one of their biggest barriers to growth and one of their biggest problems." Some Georgia business leaders have witnessed a growing problem "This will give our students with work ethics among younger employees. They praise the Work Ethics program for addressing the issue before the student enters the workforce, thereby grooming strong employees. the skills they need to Allen Rice, president of Savannah Luggage Works in Vidalia, says too many young people get a new job and want to start at the top. "The problem is they don't want to pay successfully compete in the the price," he says. "We live in a worldwide economy, in a very competitive situation with the rest of the world. You workforce ..." can't run a company if people aren't willing to work and care about their jobs." Tom Stalvey graduated from Valdosta Tech in the 1960s and founded Ace Electric Co. Today, he hires many Dr. Cathryn Meehan, President of Southeastern Technical College Valdosta Tech grads to join his 180-employee company. The Work Ethics program helps shape students' attitudes, Stalvey says, "so when they come to work, they are eager OOD to please their employer." For Marshall Conner, Georgia Power Co.'s South Region external man- ager, a lack of work ethics "is obviously a huge problem." Conner is part of an industry-led group that studies workforce preparedness in the Valdosta area. The group is developing a presentation with plans to visit 10th-grade high school students and talk about work ethics. The presentation features the same 10 traits that are taught in the technical colleges. "Valdosta Tech was very helpful," he says. DUCT In today's ever-changing economy, students must blend technical knowledge with solid character as they prepare for successful careers. "Preparation includes the development of not only technical skills but also those critical interpersonal skills in order to be a well-rounded, sought-after employee," says Dr. Ruth Nichols, president of North Georgia Technical College. builds solid character Dawn Adams, North Georgia Tech librarian and Work Ethics coordinator, says, "I see work ethics as guidelines to good life skills in the workplace. valued employees Knowing how to be a good employee is sometimes more important than the technical skills one brings to the job." Students recognize that the basic tenets of the Work Ethics program can enhance their lives beyond the office door. Susan Medley, a CIS-Web Design K E AT I N G student at North Georgia Tech, says, "The values discussed in Work Ethics should be not just for the workplace, but a part of all your life." R RESULTS 9 MAKING A Difference 10 DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION THE ANNUAL ADULT LITERACY CELEBRATION is a statewide staff development conference attracting some 1,300 professionals, volunteers, policymakers, and business and community leaders joining together to celebrate their successes in shaping the lives of the thousands they serve. At this year's event, held in September in Atlanta, attendees convened to share information, exchange ideas, report on research and plan future initiatives. Jane Robelot, newscast co-anchor on Atlanta CBS affiliate WGCL-TV, officially kicked off the event with an injection of enthusiasm for all the achievements of the Office of Adult Literacy. Department of Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond delivered the keynote address at the opening celebration luncheon, acknowledging the strong partnership between the DOL and DTAE under the leadership of Dr. Ken Breeden, DTAE commissioner. The educational component of the conference was jam-packed with 30 seminars on a wide array of topics, including basic skills, workplace partnerships, GED instruction, health literacy and English literacy. Dr. Jean DeVard-Kemp, assistant commissioner of Adult Literacy Programs, was a strong presence at all the proceedings, adding characteristic gusto to an already-charged atmosphere. Attendees examine instructional materials on display at the Exhibitors' Showcase. Pilar Archila leads a seminar for teachers on cross-cultural issues facing Latino students. The goal of the Office of Adult Literacy is to increase literacy by mobilizing resources in all seg- ments of a community, not only in schools but also in workplaces. The Workplace Literacy program, which served 3,564 employees in FY02, was spot- lighted at a recognition dinner to salute two groups of people: 20 Workplace Education STARS, employees who are pursuing their edu- cational goals; and 25 Workplace Learning Pioneer Award recipients, companies that are new sponsors of workplace programs. Workplace partners Danny Crutchfield of Shaw Industries and John Harrison of General Motors Corp. emphasized that investment in workplace education pays considerable dividends. Colorful personality Rhubarb Jones, a member of the State Board of Technical and Adult Education and chair of the Adult Literacy Committee, served as master of ceremonies for the GED awards luncheon and GED rally, mixing humor with heartwarming narrative. A vocal advocate of Adult Literacy Programs, Jones relat- ed the story of his mother getting her GED (see profile of Jones on p. 12). Neely Young, Jane Robelot editor and publisher of Georgia Trend magazine, delivered the keynote address at the lun- cheon. "What you do is gold," he told the audience, "because you provide the back- bone of Georgia educa- tion." Capping a history of more than 200,000 GEDs issued since 1991, the Office of Adult Literacy presented continued next page DTAE Commissioner Dr. Ken Breeden with DOL Commissioner Michael Thurmond RESULTS 11 DTAE board members (from left) Daniel Rather, Dr. Alma Noble, Gwendolyn Goodman, Sharon Douglas, Jimmy Allgood and Harold Reynolds the GED Award of Exemplary Performance to Robert Alan O'Kelley for scoring 376 out of 400 on the GED test. This feat also earned him the GED National Award for the highest score in Georgia, presented by Frederick Edwards, director of Partner Outreach for the GED Testing Service in Washington, D.C. A fun and popu- lar component of the conference was the silent auction, with all proceeds benefiting the Exceptional Adult Dr. Kenneth Samuel, closing celebration speaker Assistant Commissioner Dr. Jean DeVard-Kemp heads Adult Literacy in Danny Crutchfield (left) of Shaw Industries, Georgia. a Workplace Education sponsor; and Leroy Persons, a Workplace Education STAR, who is employed by Macon-Bibb County EOC Head Start The Rhubarb Bouncing on his Is On! seat behind the microphone, Rhubarb Jones' morning BY GREG LAND patter is booming. "We got Jaw-urge Jones charitable or educational initia- this mornin'," he thunders, as the strains of country tives he supports. A prodigious classic "He Stopped Loving Her Today" fade. "Lord, that's fundraiser, he's collected some strong!" $2 million for the Leukemia and "Whew! That's one of the best country songs ever writ- Lymphoma Society, and -- since ten," grins Dallas McCade, Jones' morning co-host on WYAY-Eagle becoming a Harley-Davidson 106.7 FM, over the console they share. rider and fanatic three years ago "Stronger than white whiskey you can buy on the street in -- participates in annual rides to Goodwater, Alabama, I don't mind tellin' you," Jones shouts back, whirling benefit the American Diabetes into the spirited give-and-take that has made him a favorite on the country Association, Muscular Dystrophy radio dial for 18 years. Association and March of Born Warren Jones 51 years ago and raised in Tallapoosa, Ga., Jones began honing the tool of his trade -- his mouth -- at an early age. In Rhubarb Jones speaks at the conference. Dimes. Jones and his wife (and the sixth grade, he recalls, he was dubbed "Rhubarb" for his tendency fellow Harley fan) Donna have a to argue (taken from the old baseball term for an on-field, bench- baby daughter, Presley Francis; emptying fracas). he also has two grown sons from a previous marriage, and four grandchil- These days, he's not much for arguing, but he's dren. But, even with his Harley fever, extensive charity work and radio still talking. And when he's not razzing McCade over appearances (he frequently climbs behind the drum kit at live shows with her Alabama roots or spinning yarns from his artists like Charlie Daniels, a close personal friend), Jones still takes particular colorful past, the subject of discourse pride in his work as a member of the Georgia Board of Technical and Adult is likely to be one of the many Education. He represents the 6th Congressional District and has often 12 Neely Young, Georgia Trend magazine Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) student recognition program. Attendees bid on items such as carpets, gourmet delicacies and crafts. In addition, live auctions took place at the end of several sessions with auctioneer M. Lamar Gailey, Adult Literacy director at Lanier Technical College and chair of the Silent Auction Committee. Georgia businesses, local organizations, exhibitors and individual supporters contributed the items up for bid. The closing luncheon highlighted the efforts of teachers and volunteers. To express her gratitude, Dr. DeVard-Kemp presented a poster to each attendee that read, "Thank you for making a difference in the lives of others." Keynote speaker Dr. Kenneth Samuel, member of the Georgia Council on Adult Literacy, left attendees energized to set out and continue their mission of advancing the cause of literacy in Georgia. R Auctioneer M. Lamar Gailey signals the high bidder. worked with West Central Technical College, which is close to his home. "My mother got her GED when I was in the fourth grade, and I remember what a proud day that was," he says soberly. "My philosophy is that education can make the difference between success and failure. My grandmother always said that the odds are stacked against you if you're not properly educated. I'm so grateful to live in a state where there are so many educational opportunities." Jones' work on the board and hosting of the GED awards have allowed him to meet people whose lives have been changed by the literacy program. "I get so excited when I meet some of these people who are in their 70s and have gotten their GEDs, and are now going to college," he says softly, shaking his head. "There's an elderly lady who lives down near Warner Robins. She not only raised nine children but she's gotten her GED, and now she's going to technical college." Jones, whose own upbringing was "pretty hardscrabble," says he's fortunate to be able to help others share in his own success. "I've just been so lucky," he says. "I think we need to learn to be neighbors again. I'm just glad to be able to do it." Above: Teachers and volunteers applaud all the accomplishments in adult literacy over the past year. Left: Robert Alan O'Kelley wins GED award. Below: Frederick Edwards speaks on behalf of the national GED Testing Service. RESULTS 13 FROM School 14 DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION At West Hall High School in Gainesville, some 400 juniors and seniors enjoy a recent assembly to learn about educational options at Georgia's technical colleges. TO Skill Georgia's technical colleges help high school students jump-start careers BY KILLIAN EDWARDS THINK BACK TO YOUR FIRST JOB after high school. Most likely it didn't involve opportunities for advancement or a sizeable salary. These days, though, the scene couldn't be more different for some of Georgia's high school graduates. Thanks to collaborative projects between technical colleges and high schools, the transition from high school to college has been streamlined, and students can earn college credits and technical certificates while still in high school, smoothly moving from graduation to good-paying jobs almost immediately. Consider the case of Terri Nuckles: She began taking health occupation classes in the ninth grade at West Hall High School and by her senior year was working as a nurse's aide. When she graduated and enrolled at Lanier Technical College, she already had a solid grounding in nursing. She's now an LPN and plans to become an RN. Or Toby Hughes: While in high school, he attended programs offered through the Central Educational Center in Coweta County. By the time he graduated from Newnan High School in May 2001, Hughes was a certified fiber optic technician. By summer, he was the project manager on a high-tech construction job, making an annual salary of $52,000. Then there's Keith Jenkins: Born with physical challenges, he had to attend special-education classes. But through a collaborative training program with his local technical college, Jenkins not only graduated with his class but also completed the Certified Manufacturing Specialist program while in high school and now works at J-M Manufacturing in Adel. And Brooke Carson: An honors graduate from Stephens County High School, she received her diploma from North Georgia Technical College in Applied Business Technology last September. She had taken Certified Customer Service Specialist courses as a junior through dual-enrollment programs, and continued with online, evening and summer classes to complete the diploma. Carson's part-time job at a local bank served two purposes: She received credit toward her Applied Business Technology diploma and applied the skills she learned to her job. These are only a few success stories resulting from collaborations among technical colleges, high school systems, communities, and business and industry. The idea is to give students the skills they need to move from one level of education to another, and from success in education to success in a job. And it's working. More and more high school students have recognized the value of getting a jump-start on success. Participation in these collaborative programs has increased dramatically in the past few years. In 2000, 3,783 students took part. In 2002, the number almost doubled to 7,361. FROM HERE TO CAREER Many of these programs are developed through the DTAE's School to Work initiative, which devel- ops partnerships among schools, businesses and community organizations. According to a prelimi- nary evaluation recently completed by the Occupational Research Group at the University of Georgia, 306 of 392 high schools in the partner- ships' service areas participated in School to Work activities during 2001-2002. Each partnership has unique goals that reflect community needs, but all focus on increasing career awareness, expanding employer involvement, strengthening student achievement, and building systems that are supportive of youth and economic development. School to Work partnerships encourage pro- grams such as dual-enrollment and postsecondary options, which enable students to earn credit hours that count as college credits as well as Terri Nuckles got a head start on her nursing career while still in high school. toward high school graduation requirements. In addition, many schools join directly with area businesses to provide on-the-job training to familiarize students with various business fields. The result is that students get the best education possi- ble, and businesses get qualified employ- ees. During the continued next page RESULTS 15 "We'd like to help shape the technology and career curriculum in high schools because we're dedicated to building the best workforce for Georgia." -- Patt Stonehouse, state coordinator of School to Work for DTAE 2001-2002 school year, 4,086 private employers and 851 public and nonprofit employers participated in these School to Work activities. "Everyone should be prepared to the same level," says Patt Stonehouse, state coordinator of School to Work for the DTAE. "We'd like to help shape the technology and career curriculum in high schools because we're dedicated to building the best workforce for Georgia." THE REAL WORLD "Mr. Thomas would be a good person to talk with about that," says Rudy Tabares, the drafting teacher for Griffin High School and Spalding High School, when asked the benefits of Griffin Technical College's dualenrollment drafting program. But he's not talking about another teacher or administrator. He's talking about Adrian Thomas, a lanky high school junior taking his first drafting class this year. "The class is very good," Thomas says, as he maneuvers the computer mouse to draw the next line of his AutoCAD assignment. "I like to work with computers and design things." He is interested in pursuing a career in engineering, but he's also considering the multitude of options available to a skilled designer. "There are more and more career fields opening up with computers and design," he says. "I'm trying to buy Adrian Thomas (seated) goes over an assignment with drafting instructor Brent Center. AutoCAD for my computer at home so I can explore it more." Addressing students such as "Mr. Thomas" in a businesslike manner is just one of the many ways Tabares helps prepare them for the real world. Students also are encouraged to develop portfolios of their work that they can show to colleges or potential employers. They also complete an "Employability Skills" worksheet each week, grading themselves on timeliness, teamwork, effort and other work habits that are important to employers. Reviewing the INNOVATIONS Technical colleges across Georgia are finding solu- tions that work. Here is a sampling of the efforts that are making a difference around the state. Industry Education Partnership Certified specialist programs are popular as dualenrollment programs in many high schools. Southeastern Technical College decided to use that popularity and take the programs a step further. Through a partnership with the Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, the school has added part-time work as an option for students. Approximately 20 students at Montgomery County High and Vidalia High Schools are participating, getting job experience and pay while having the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom. Commissioner Ken Breeden and son Matt (far right), a junior at West Hall High School, join other students in viewing a race car at a recent career day highlighting Motorsports Vehicle Technology and other programs at Lanier Tech. Treutlen Co. Workforce Training Center Located in the new Jim L. Gillis Jr. Building, this center offers four technical certificates of credit to students at Treutlen County High School. Classes in Web Site Fundamentals, Web Design Specialist, Database Development and Help Desk Technician allow students to earn credit toward a diploma or associate's degree from Swainsboro Tech while completing their high school requirements. 16 DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION TO Skill SF RcOhMool sheets helps Tabares determine which areas need work, and it helps students understand that being on time and prepared for work is just as important as what you do when you're there. Adding even more business-world reality to the classes are Brent Center and Maury Moseley, two professionals who team-teach the drafting classes with Tabares. (Center teaches at Griffin High, and Moseley teaches at Spalding High). Both work as engineering design draftsmen with Caterpillar's Electric Power Product Group. In the classroom, Center and Moseley share their experience and explain real-world applications of drafting. Along with Tabares, they show students the many options available in the engineering field, including mechanical, civil and architectural engineering. "We're sparking an interest here," says Center. The three teachers know that not all the high school students they work with will go on to attend FOR SUCCESS MICRO Camp Valdosta Technical College recently hosted its second annual MICRO Camp for high school students. An acronym for Medicine Is Creating Real Opportunities, MICRO is a three-day camp that spotlights the school's medical programs and gives students the opportunity to explore different areas of the healthcare field. Twenty-three students attended the summer event, participating in interactive games, hands-on activities and demonstrations of various medical fields. Aquaculture Research Project North Georgia Tech is investigating the many ways aquaculture can increase economic development opportunities in its seven-county service area. In a new research project, two self-supporting aquaculture businesses are being set up: one at Franklin County High School, where the career-technology department will grow shrimp and fish inside a greenhouse; and the other at North Georgia Tech's Clarkesville campus, where ornamental fish and aquatic plants will also be grown. One aim of the program is to help find uses for buildings and resources formerly used in the poultry industry, converting structures into growing facilities. Eventually, community farmers will be invited to join a collaborative, which will offer training, resources and support. Griffin Tech or end up working at Caterpillar, but that's not why they teach the classes. They know that inspiration can take many paths, and they just want to help support young lives. "Someone gave me the opportunity, and [these students] need an opportunity just like we had," says Moseley. "The classes provide some technical and computer knowledge that is valuable for any job they move on to, whether or not they become engineers." Like other dual-enrollment programs, the drafting program allows students to receive college credit for courses taken in high school. By earning high school and college credit simultaneously, Center says, "students receive the knowledge needed to accelerate their entrance into the workforce." The program is in its second year, and the prospects for many students look good. Mike Howard, drafting instructor at Griffin Tech, says, "There are a number of students in the program who are now looking forward to coming here. The program lets the students know we're here and gives us more exposure to the high school crowd." The support of Caterpillar management has made the program possible, Howard claims. "It's a good opportunity for the students, and having instructors coming from industry is very influential," he says. "Caterpillar really sees the opportunity here and the importance of this kind of preparation." Center says, "With the partnership between Caterpillar and Griffin Tech and the high schools, we're doing good things for the community." Center and Moseley take time off from their jobs to teach at the high schools, with full management support. "Caterpillar looks at it as an investment down the road and also an investment in the community," Moseley says. "We're giving students a jump-start. That's what it's all about." OFFERING OPPORTUNITY Many technical colleges across the state work with their local secondary schools to provide a seamless transition between high school and college and help students get a head start on technical certificates or degrees. But how do you help students who aren't in a continued next page RESULTS 17 traditional high school setting or who may be at risk of dropping out altogether? Lanier Technical College and Hall County are creating an answer with the opening of Lanier Career Center (LCC). In partnership with local businesses and the community, Lanier Tech and the Hall County School System are creating LCC to help prepare nontraditional students for a personally and professional- Weaving the Web of Interest ly rewarding career. Thirty acres of land adjacent to Lanier Tech in Oakwood (outside Gainesville) have been purchased, and plans are Chattahoochee Technical College has many programs available for high school under way for a 34,500-sq.-ft. educational facility that will students. But sometimes the problem is getting the word out about them, as well as include classrooms, labs, offices, conference rooms, an helping students and parents understand the programs. international center and a student center. LCC is sched- To create more awareness about Chattahoochee Tech and its high school programs, uled to open in 2004 with approximately 250 to 275 stu- the school has increased its presence where many high school students can be found dents, with plans for up to 400 students in the future. these days -- the internet. Chattahoochee Tech has a general website, as do most techni- The academic programs offered at LCC will be cal colleges, but it has recently developed a site specifically targeted to current and gradu- an extension of the current Hall County-Gainesville ating high school students and their parents. Evening High School, and will also include technical The website recently won first place in the Internet Homepage category in competition courses and dual-enrollment options through Lanier sponsored by the National Council for Technical College. Students can pursue a high school Marketing and Public Relations, a group diploma (in college prep or career and technology) that represents marketing and PR profes- or GED in the High School Diploma Program. sionals at community, technical and Or they can work toward a technical certificate of junior colleges. The website received credit or associate's degree through the Technical near-perfect scores in originality and College Program. impact, with judges commenting specifi- "A major benefit of LCC is that we will be cally on its appeal to the younger generation. reaching a population that is currently under- "Information about the dual-enrollment and postsecondary programs can be confusing," served," says Dr. Linda Barrow, vice president of says Debbie Butler, Chattahoochee Tech's VP of college relations and advancement. "Having instructional services at Lanier Tech. "These stu- more information out there and all in one place is a great way to educate students about the dents don't learn in the traditional way or prefer programs." To promote the website, the school presents information packets to area high classes that are more practical and career-based." school counselors. Many nontraditional students are those who The site is designed to attract young, internet-savvy high school students. The design is experience problems that become barriers to acade- contemporary, and uses the multimedia features that experienced web surfers have come to mic success, including family issues, frequent family expect. By being on the cutting edge, moves, economic difficulties or becoming parents. Chattahoochee Tech grabs a vistor's To address these issues, LCC will bring together attention and keeps it. community services and provide onsite resources Along with information about the that eliminate obstacles to school attendance. school and various enrollment For example, childcare and preschool will be options (including postsecondary, available through Early Headstart, Headstart and Pre- dual-enrollment and mini-core), the K classes. There will be a Georgia Department of site provides a virtual tour of Chattahoochee Tech's campuses, a course planner, admis- Labor Development Center on campus to offer career sions and cost information, and the opportunity to "meet" a few current students and counseling and assessments as well as job placement find out about their experiences at the school. assistance. Currently, Evening High has a Medicaid per- "We are very proud of the site," says Butler. "We think it will be a great asset in son who takes applications for PeachCare and Medicaid, attracting and informing potential students." and students have access to health screenings, juvenile court To visit Chattahoochee Tech's high school website, go to probation services and public transportation to the school. www.chattcollege.com and click on Admissions, then on High School Student. These services will continue to be available through LCC. For more information about Chattahoochee Tech's high school programs, The end result will be students who are better prepared you may also call 770-528-4431. for college and for the workforce. "We are growing a workforce for local business and industry," Barrow says, "and these students are definitely a part of that." R 18 DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION B efore it closed, Thomaston Mills had been just a brand name of sheets and pillowcases to most people. But to the residents of Thomaston, Ga., the name was a way of life, steeped in the family lore of genera- ThoT mHasEton tions going back 100 years. The town was synonymous with textiles, and the townspeople drew both identity and livelihood from the operation of several local mills, most predominantly Thomaston Mills. On June 14, 2001, that chapter in the history of the Upson County community ended with the announcement that 1,400 Thomaston Mills workers would lose their jobs. It was the most severe blow in a series of mill layoffs and closures over a period of two years. "It was like having a terminally ill family member," recalls Betsy Hueber, president of the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce. "You know they're going to die, but you're still shocked when it happens." The losses were devastating. The number of textile workers in the area, which once exceeded 8,000, fell below 500. Some 2.6 million sq. ft. of factory space stood empty, much of it in cavernous, TURNAROUND century-old buildings. And most importantly, entire families were left without income, health insurance Betsy Hueber, president of Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce or training for jobs other than mill work. What happened next was truly remarkable. Through the combined efforts of state agencies and community leaders, Flint River Technical College and the Certified Manufacturing Specialist program, and the townspeople themselves, Thomaston responded to the challenges and has discovered a new zeal to unite as a community. As Hueber exclaims, "We are on a mission!" As hard times hit QUICK RESPONSE News of the mill closing came on a Thursday. By Monday, officials had been summoned to continued next page a scenic Georgia county, town teams with technical college to meet the challenge BY VICKI PHILLIPS RESULTS 19 Thomaston Mills announces it will close, putting 1,400 people out of work. The announcement caps a decade-long decline in Thomaston's textile industry. FLINT RIVER Chamber of Commerce convenes a meeting of federal, state and local officials to discuss what assistance is available to deal with the crisis. Flint River Technical College hosts a meeting of state and local resource team members; future meetings, steered by the Chamber of Commerce, eventually come to be known as Community Strategy Sessions. TECH RES Thousands flock to Flint River Tech's Workforce Services Center for information on getting unemployment benefits, enrolling in courses and planning new careers. June 14, 2001 June 18, 2001 June 19, 2001 July - October 2001 "My daddy, my brothers -- they all worked at the mill. I was born and raised in Thomaston, and there's no place I would rather live." SYLVIA GREEN, with daughter Rhonda Thomaston for a town meeting. Local business people, community leaders and laid-off workers assembled alongside officials from several state agencies: the Departments of Technical and Adult Education; Labor; Community Affairs; and Industry, Trade and Tourism. U.S. Rep. Mac Collins and state Rep. Mack Crawford attended, along with representatives of U.S. Sen. Zell Miller and the governor's office. Everyone wanted to help, but first they had to get through the initial shock. "It was gut-wrenching," Hueber recalls. "Our hearts went out to the families who were affected. What if one of their kids got sick? A lot of these folks had put in a full, honest day's work at that mill every day for 40 years, and that was all they knew how to do." After shedding a few tears, the Thomaston citizens huddled at the close of the meeting and planned their next steps. Realizing that assistance was available from the state, they asked the officials to return the following day. "Without one single failure, they all came back the next day from wherever they were in the state of Georgia. And they brought more people with them," says Hueber, impressed by the officials' supportive response. At that next meeting, hosted by Flint River Technical College, it became clear that there was a two-part solution to the problem. The first was community development: They needed to attract new industry, find buyers for the empty structures, and get tax credits and other incentives from the state. The second involved the families of Thomaston and Upson County: re-training for the unemployed, credit counseling, and help with resumes and interviews. In nearly all these efforts, Flint River Tech played a central role, backed up by the numerous resources available through the other colleges in Georgia's Technical College System. "The call came out for the nearby sister colleges to send people to Flint River Tech to help out," recalls Kathy Love, president of Flint River Tech, who was executive VP at Middle Georgia Technical College when Thomaston Mills closed. Flint River Tech put the extra hands to work. Thousands of area residents flocked to the school's Workforce Services Center over the next few months to learn about options, whether it was signing up for unemployment benefits, enrolling in courses or planning a new career. In addition, Flint River Tech initially housed a resource center that was a partnership of the Department of Labor and the Workforce Investment Board. The center, which subsequently moved adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce, helped people find jobs, get assistance and apply for the NAFTA unemployment extension (see sidebar on opposite page). The school's efforts paid off. One year -- to the day -- after the announcement of Thomaston Mills' shutdown, Flint River Technical College graduated some of Thomaston's citizens in one of its largest classes ever. A week later, 62 students received their Certified Manufacturing Specialist (CMS) certifications in perhaps the most aggressive economic development initiative undertaken by the college. Sixty-two students received their Certified Manufacturing Specialist certificates after a rigorous, six-week course at Flint River Tech. The program is normally taught in 10 weeks. 20 DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION PONDS TO Atlantic Paper & Foil announces that it will purchase the Lakeside Plant, the most modern of the six Thomaston Mills facilities. It guarantees interviews to CMS-certified job applicants. THE CRISIS Responding to an ad in the local newspaper, 280 people crowd in to attend CMS informational session at Flint River Tech. Four CMS classes begin at Flint River Tech. Graduation of largest class ever at Flint River Tech. 62 receive CMS certificate. Southern Mills adopts CMS program at its Upson County facility, serving as a pilot for company-wide implementation. March 2002 April 2002 May 2002 ... June 2002 October 2002 FAMILY TIES there's no place I would rather live." Among the 62 students who earned Despite such lengthy experience their certification were fathers and sons, in a manufacturing setting, Sylvia says grandmothers and granddaughters, siblings she gained significantly from taking the and cousins. CMS course. "I learned a lot," she says. Love explains the concentration of fami- "I was quite surprised. It proved we ly members in the CMS course. "The mills really wanted to better ourselves." were an institution," she says, "where people Rhonda, too, preferred to remain for generations and generations went to work, in her hometown when she was laid off many times dropping out of high school to from Thomaston Mills, where she do so. And they made very good livings. worked with her brother and sister. She Now we have multiple generations of people Flint River Tech who need more training, whether a high President Kathy Love found work out of town but disliked the long commute and 12-hour days. So school diploma, associate degree or technical certificate." when the opportunity arose to advance her skill set Sylvia Green and daughter Rhonda Green were one with the CMS course, she jumped at it. such pair of CMS graduates. Sylvia had worked at Rhonda, who landed a job with Atlantic Paper Carters Mill for 25 years, first as a sewing machine oper- & Foil, realizes that more and more employers are ator and then as an instructor. Expecting to retire from beginning to require CMS certification. "People the company, Sylvia was stunned when it closed in 1999. who have their CMS will have a better chance of Still, moving away from Thomaston was not an option. getting a job," she says. "My daddy, my brothers -- they all worked at the Another graduate from the CMS class was mill," she says. "I was born and raised in Thomaston, and Darlene Buffington, who was a supervisor at Thomaston Mills and oversaw the work of about 70 operators. "A lot of my employees were older and didn't have a high school education," she recalls. "It was tough on them to have to start over and go back to school." Buffington had been taking courses in business and office technology at Flint River Tech, but was forced to abandon her studies because of her constantly chang- ing schedule leading up to the closure of Thomaston Mills. "I knew personally that I needed more education," she recalls. "The CMS program was already being offered at Flint River Tech, but I didn't realize how important it was until the mill closed. A lot of people continued next page Darlene Buffington earned her CMS certification and landed a job at Southern Mills. Workers Tap Key NAFTA Provisions People who lose their jobs as a result of trade with Canada or Mexico can extend their unemployment benefits if they go back to school, under provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement/Trade Adjustment Assistance (NAFTA/TAA). "Dislocated workers" can qualify for up to 52 additional weeks of unemployment coverage as long as they're enrolled in an approved training program, such as those offered by Georgia's technical colleges. A "dislocated worker" is one who was laid off from a company adversely affected by shifts in production to Canada or Mexico or by imports from those countries. In the case of Thomaston Mills, the company didn't shift production to Mexico, but its sales declined because of cheaper Mexican imports. Flint River Tech helped the laid-off mill workers get enrolled in school, so they could meet the requirement for NAFTA's unemployment extension. RESULTS 21 didn't. You think you can get a job somewhere, but you don't understand how hard it is." TEXTILES TOMORROW About a 20-minute drive outside Thomaston, through the verdant, rolling hills near Sprewell Bluff Same Buildings, New Owners By the time Thomaston Mills closed in 2001, several textile mills had already downsized or ceased operations, and the town had begun to prepare for the inevitable. It got its status changed from Tier 2 to Tier 1, making it eligible for more funding. It retained a siteselection firm to conduct an economic assessment and make recommendations for marketing the empty buildings. It made improvements to its industrial park. And it received grants from the OneGeorgia Authority Equity Fund, which is used to build necessary infrastructure for economic development. Eventually, all the Thomaston Mills buildings were sold to new businesses: The 524,000-sq.-ft. Peerless Building was purchased by Cincinnati-based Standard Textile, which ramped up operations in March 2002. An international textile firm with operations in France, Jordan and other U.S. locales, Standard Textile also recently purchased the Kings Mill plant in Augusta. The 190,000-sq.-ft. sewing plant was purchased by Wyncote, Pa.-based ATDAmerican, which also bought the "Thomaston Mills" brand name to manufacture institutional sheets and pillowcases. Griffin, Ga.-based 1888 Mills bought the 542,000-sq.-ft. finishing plant. The 320,000-sq.-ft. Lakeside Plant was bought by Hauppauge, N.Y.-based Atlanta Paper & Foil to manufacture commercial paper products and convert aluminum foil. Southern Mills, a Georgia company for 77 years, purchased the 77,000-sq.-ft. Pike County plant to house its warping and weaving operation. Thomaston also received money from the OneGeorgia Authority EDGE Fund. An acronym for Economic Development, Growth and Expansion, EDGE is utilized when a Georgia community competes with a non-Georgia community for a business. According to Betsy Hueber, president of the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce, it was the EDGE money that made the difference in landing Atlantic Paper & Foil and Standard Textile in Thomaston. State Park and the Flint River, there's another Upson County textile plant. This one, Southern Mills, represents the future of the textile industry, not the past. Not only is the facility modern, filled with the most technologically advanced machinery, but also the company has positioned itself in a niche market. The 115 employees at this dyeing and finishing plant produce fire-retardant fabric for apparel used by fire departments, military units, and the petroleum, chemical and utilities industries. Southern Mills is taking a progressive approach to training, offering the CMS course onsite. Plant Manager Mike Anderson explains why. "We're always trying to move to the next level," he says. "Continuous improvement is what we stress day in and day out. That only happens through our associates." When the company posted a notice last summer that the first CMS program would soon be conducted at the plant, one-third of the associates signed up, with more saying they would follow suit in subsequent programs. Classes take place daily from 7-9 a.m.; the shift starts at 8 a.m. Thus, workers give one hour of their time and are paid for the other hour. Calling it the greatest education program he's ever seen, Anderson says, "CMS encompasses everything that a manufacturer wants in an associate. The program is well thought-out, detailed and well taught." In addition to giving a solid grounding in mechanics, computer skills and quality control, he adds, the CMS program provides insight into the business aspects of running a manufacturing plant. "Many times employees work their shifts without understanding what they're working toward. It's important for associates to understand that the only way we'll continue to grow -- and they'll have long-term employment -- is by being profitable." The textile industry is indeed changing, but it is not dying, Anderson asserts. He sees more specialization, further consolidation, increasingly sophisticated technology, and yes, fewer employees in the long run. But those workers must be trained in forward-thinking manufacturing principles, which CMS teaches. "If we're going to be a manufacturing society, we must have people who understand the programming and interaction of the robotics," he says. "The technical aspects will become more and more important as we move forward." Civic leaders like Hueber now understand the changing face of textiles and how it affects the community. "We will Southern Mills is offering an onsite CMS program because it needs well-trained manufacturing workers for its modern textile plant. Operating the equipment here are Pam Hobbs (above) on an inspection monitor; Valorie Huckaby (upper right) on a finishing machine; and Karen Pollard (lower right) on color-checking equipment. "CMS encompasses everything that a manufacturer wants in an associate. The program is well thought-out, detailed and well taught." MIKE ANDERSON, PLANT MANAGER AT SOUTHERN MILLS never be dominated by a single employer to the level it was," she says. "Those days in the textile industry are over." A NEW CHAPTER Now a scheduling clerk at Southern Mills, Darlene Buffington puts to use the myriad hands-on skills she learned in the CMS course, including just-in-time procedures, statistical process control, teamwork -- even the classroom team project of making a windchime and writing a profile of the team's business. Echoing Anderson, Buffington credits the program for helping her appreciate how a business is operated. "I recommend that companies implement a CMS program," she says, "because it helps each person realize the outcome [of tasks] and put it all together." An apt phrase, since "putting it all together" is just what Thomaston accomplished. Nowadays, Hueber is continuing the mission, contacting every resource available for assistance in boosting the small-business sector, renovating the historic Hotel Upson and attracting technology-based manufac- turers. She commends the rallying effort of numerous entities, especially Flint River Tech and the DTAE for their "can-do attitude" as well as "Kathy Love's leadership and the commitment of [DTAE Commissioner] Ken Breeden." And Flint River Tech has its own goals. One of the state's fastest-growing technical colleges, it will soon build a new industrial training center to expand program offerings in the trade and industrial areas. The center will also include state-of-the-art lab and classroom facilities for CMS, which will complement the other programs such as Machine Tool Technology, Industrial Systems Technology and a new associate degree program currently under development in Civil Engineering Technology. "We want to continue to be a vital partner to attract industry to this area," Love says. "If you asked me how this town is different now, I would say there is more hope, vision and looking to the future." R RESULTS 23 STUDENT ORGANIZATION CHAPTERS NOT ONLY MAKE THE GRADE, THEY'RE SETTING THE STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE GEORGI G I BY SUZETTE HILL n an outstanding performance and business and industry. The goal is to reward by Georgia's technical college system, more students for excellence, involve industry in eval- medals than ever before came home with uating student performance and keep training Georgia students at the national competitions relevant to employers' needs. of SkillsUSA-VICA, Phi Beta Lambda and The competition emphasizes hands-on Delta Epsilon Chi. These student organiza- tasks. For example, in the Television (Video) tions, while varying in focus, all aim to devel- Production category, contestants shoot a one- op real-life workplace skills and prepare stu- minute video on location and edit the tape in dents for successful careers. the contest area. In the Internetworking category, At the SkillsUSA-VICA competition, held students are given a set of networking equip- last June in Kansas City, Mo., Georgia techni- ment (cable, hubs, routers, etc.) and, in a finite cal college students garnered 13 awards, amount of time, must install a network to run including six gold, one silver and six bronze an Internet application. medals (see list of winners on opposite page). One of Georgia's gold medal winners was SkillsUSA-VICA serves more than Cynthia Elrod, a medical assisting student at 250,000 high school and college students and Griffin Technical College. Her instructor had professionals in training programs in techni- encouraged her to enter the medical assisting cal, skilled, health and service occupations. competition early last year at the state conference The 2002 Championships involved more in Atlanta. "It was fun and scary and challeng- than 4,000 contestants in 73 separate events ing," Elrod recalls. "I felt good about how I did, judged by representatives of labor, education, but I was still surprised when I won first place." Surprise gave way to confidence when she won first place at the national conference, where she had to assess a medical situation in a A'S NEW short period of time and perform a skill required for that situation. Contestants LDwere judged on speed, use of correct safety measures and ability to interact personally with a patient. Given first pick of many jobs, Elrod instead returned to pursue a degree in practical nursing. "In preparing for the Cynthia Elrod wears the gold medals she won at the state and national competitions of SkillsUSA-VICA. 24 Standar "Many of the problems I saw [at the national conference] were ones I had seen before, so I know I'm getting the education I'll need." Jared Morris, SkillsUSA-VICA Gold Medal Winner competitions," she says, "I had to dig deeper, ask ques- tions of my instructor, and study harder." Greg Souther, who recently graduated from the aviation maintenance program at Georgia Aviation Technical College in Eastman, agrees. After finishing third in aviation maintenance technology (AMT) at the 2001 state conference, Souther decided to enter again. He prepared by auditing extra classes and doing some composite and sheet metal work. This year, he won the gold at both the state and national conferences. The AMT competition required contestants to perform 12 tasks that represent the type of maintenance conducted in the industry. The scope of the contest was consistent with the airframe and power plant mechanics certification guide published by the Federal Aviation Administration. "Greg can get a job anywhere he wants," says Jay Mullis, department chair of aircraft structural technology. Souther values his heightened confi- dence even more than the award. "The competition let me know where I am in comparison to others," he says, adding that it also edged him closer to starting his own business. "I won $3,000 to $4,000 in high-quality tools. Just starting out in this business, it would have taken me years to afford them." Confidence in their emerging skills and the quality of their education are key benefits to all SkillsUSA-VICA participants, says Jared Morris of Valdosta Tech, who won first place in computer maintenance at the national conference. "Many of the problems I saw there were ones I had seen before, so I know I'm getting the education I'll need," he says. In the view of John Scott, Ph.D., associate professor of occupa- tional studies at the rd University of Georgia, SkillsUSA-VICA not only imbues students with confidence but also pushes them beyond book learning to develop the leadership, presentation and relationship skills they'll need in the business world. "To compete, they have to get serious about learning those skills," Scott argues. He urges administration officials and advisers at technical colleges to exploit the potential of SkillsUSA-VICA by promoting faculty leadership and student participation. "SkillsUSA has a tremendous website [www.skillsusa.org] with a ton of useful information," he says. "And adviser training is available at all regional and state meetings." Scott says technical colleges can boost campus SkillsUSA-VICA participation by mentoring students on the benefits of employability skills such as job interviewing and public speaking. With 71 competitions, all students can benefit from competing. A prime example of teacher involvement occurred at Georgia Aviation Tech. With Mullis' encouragement, a flight student entered a prepared speech competition at state, while another conducted a mock ground-school training class. Both, he says, later reported that these efforts were valuable in preparing for their careers. In that sense, all competitors emerge as winners. "SkillsUSA-VICA showed me I have the capability, and it pushed me to excel," Elrod says. "This is the beginning of a new plan and a new lifestyle for me." WINNING BIG AT PBL Georgia made yet another strong showing at Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) national convention in Nashville last June. Georgia garnered 20 honors, including three first-place wins, from this student organization that promotes leadership skills, continued next page SkillsUSA-VICA 2002 Winners Gold Medalists: CYNTHIA ELROD Griffin Tech, Medical Assisting GREG SOUTHER Georgia Aviation Tech, Aviation Maintenance Technology JARED MORRIS Valdosta Tech, Computer Maintenance Technology PAULA COOPER Columbus Tech, Nurse Assisting KENNETH COFFEY East Central Tech, Telecommunications Cabling CENTRAL GEORGIA TECH TEAM Chapter Display Silver Medalist: DYLAN BRYAN Central Georgia Tech, Internetworking Bronze Medalists: CHIQUAIL WALKER Swainsboro Tech, First Aid/CPR BLAINE BECHTEL Chattahoochee Tech, Industrial Motor Control LEMETIA VASSAR Albany Tech, Preschool Teaching Assistant SOUTH GEORGIA TECH TEAM Robotics and Automation Technology COLUMBUS TECH TEAM Opening and Closing Ceremonies CHATTAHOOCHEE TECH TEAM Television (Video) Production RESULTS 25 Phi Beta Lambda National Convention 2002 Winners First Place EDDIE MURRAY and PATRICK FINN Okefenokee Tech, Network Design LAURA DAVIS Middle Georgia Tech, Public Speaking MELVIN THOMPSON North Georgia Tech, Quantitative Methods Second Place GLORIA WRIGHT Heart of Georgia Tech, Visual Basic MICHAEL ADKINS Valdosta Tech, Computer Concepts Third Place BETTY COPELAND West Central Tech, Accounting Principles GLORIA WRIGHT and CALISA ANDERSON Heart of Georgia Tech, Desktop Publishing JESSICA SMITH North Georgia Tech, Telecommunications LATORIA HAWKINS and CHRISTINE WOMBLE Sandersville Tech, Emerging Business Issues MARK FOSTER West Central Tech, Job Interview ROY MCCLELLAN Okefenokee Tech, Computer Software and Operating Systems SHANNON CHANDLER and LINDA KEY Appalachian Tech, Business Plan PBL award winners were recognized at a recent DTAE board meeting. From left are Melvin Thompson, Latoria Hawkins, Board Chairman Bill Harris, Betty Copeland, Laura Davis, Dr. Ken Breeden, Gloria Wright, Linda Key, Calisa Anderson and Jessica Smith. partnerships with local businesses and community service work (see list of winners at left). Each year, PBL student members have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills mastery in as many as 40 different areas. But the real gains, says Cheryl Kelly, former PBL state president and a student at Okefenokee Technical College, come from the sense of community and confidence members gain. Kelly joined PBL just six weeks after returning to school after a long absence. Within a few months, she not only had become immersed in her own school's activities but was interacting with all of Georgia's 34 technical colleges when she was elected president at the state PBL convention. "At the national level, Georgia is at the top of the list across the board as far as chapters go," she says. "When we go to national competition, Georgia walks on a red carpet. The leadership that passes from the state officers to the local officers to the members gets everyone involved." Hugh Lofton, Ph.D., an instructor at Moultrie Technical College and state chairman of PBL, credits PBL advisers and school administrators for the Georgia PBL successes. "PBL advisers are volunteers who give up their time on weekends and at night to help students develop their skills," he says. "I also thank DTAE for its support of all the student organizations. Other states don't have that support, and it shows. Georgia is one of the strongest states at the national conference, and others look to us to lead." Maorwe parizresded The DTAE recently recognized the winners from the SkillsUSA-VICA, PBL and DEX competitions, as well as several other high achievers from around the Technical College System. Here are the honorees: GREEN THUMBS A team of horticulture students from Acworth's North Metro Technical College placed higher than any other twoyear college squad in competition sponsored by the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA). Often called the Olympics of the Green Industry, ALCA's Student Career Days is an annual three-day competition for horticulture students from colleges and universities across the country. In the 2002 event, held at Illinois Central College in Peoria, Ill., more than 50 schools competed, roughly half of which were two-year colleges. The students from North Metro Tech finished sixth overall in team competition. The 21 different events include such activities as plant identification, landscape design, arboriculture techniques and irrigation design. Top finishers on the North Metro Tech team were Tina Turner, first place in business DEX LEADS THE WAY Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX), a professional organization geared to students studying marketing and management, encourages students to develop and enhance career leadership skills. Educational and competitive opportunities abound, but none are more anticipated than the annual competitions. Last April, numerous Georgia DEX members and chapters earned recognition for technical skills and for outstanding community service efforts. 26 DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION Jimmy Manning, Valdosta Tech instructor, was named DEX's 2002 Adviser of the Year. management; Trace Gabriel and Daniel Galyas, first place in COUNTING ON SUCCESS maintenance equipment operation; and Trace Gabriel, second A Gwinnett Technical College student outper- place in compact utility loader operation. formed 264 students enrolled in two-year account- ing programs across the country. Ping Xiao scored BLUEGRASS AND WEB DESIGN the highest grade in the nation on an examination Fifteen students in the Entertainment Technology program to become an Accredited Business Accountant at Chattahoochee Technical College won two awards in the video (ABA), subsequently landing category from the Broadcast Education Association. The group's a job as a junior accountant with the firm Eric Red, White and Bluegrass won first place, and Entertainment Young CPA. Technology Report won second place. In addition, Red, White "This is a testament to what we do at our college," and Bluegrass won the grand prize among all award win- says Lanny Nelms, director of Gwinnett Tech's ners from the 13 schools competing at the conference, accounting program. Noting that today's held in Las Vegas in April 2002. graduates are being offered positions as Red, White and Bluegrass, a documentary about junior accountants and staff accountants bluegrass music that was written, narrated, performed rather than bookkeepers, Nelms attributes and edited by Chattahoochee Tech students, also won a this trend to Gwinnett Tech's comprehensive regional Emmy award from the National Association accounting curriculum. of Television Arts & Sciences. Xiao, who is from China, impressed Chattahoochee Tech also shined in national Nelms as an extremely bright but soft- competition sponsored by the Association of spoken young lady who asks few ques- Information Technology Professionals. tions. "It's amazing that a person could For the third straight year, students in the come here from a foreign country, first school's Computer Information Systems program encounter a language barrier and then placed in the top three positions at the annual jump into accounting, which is another National Collegiate Conference. At last year's conference, held in Kansas City, Mo., Melany Howard and Michael O'Dell won third place in the website design category. From left: Jeremiah Adams, Kara Wilson and Nicole Merck were on the team of Chattahoochee Tech students that produced a prize-winning documentary. language in itself," he says. "Seeing a person so humble get so excited about her performance on the exam was really wonderful." R Gwinnett Tech student Ping Xiao scored highest in the nation on an accountant accreditation exam. Of course, any organization is only as good as its leaders -- and there's no question Georgia has the best of both. Jimmy Manning, an instructor and student adviser at Valdosta Technical College, was named DEX's 2002 Adviser of the Year. But he's not in it for the accolades. "Going to the conferences and job fairs is great for me because I get to network with other advisers and exchange information and ideas on new things," he says. DEX student members, on the other hand, not only compete but also make connections that can launch careers. "One student presented a prepared sales presentation in a competition," Manning says. "Afterward, two judges called him over to discuss a job." Ultimately, student organizations give students a taste of real-life job situations without the real pressures. "These competitions put students in touch with judges who work in that field and can tell them what they need to improve," Manning says. "There may never be an absolute right answer, but the business partners know what they want to see." Georgia winners also included Steve Wagner from the Technical Division of Clayton College and State University, who won second place in the e-commerce decision-making event. In addition, Athens Tech students Bradley Johnston, Myron Lowe, Charlie Monroe and Richard Reid won third place in the Quiz Bowl. And six Georgia colleges received the Diamond Chapter Award for outstanding community service: Athens Tech, Albany Tech, Clayton College and State University, Lanier Tech, Middle Georgia Tech and Moultrie Tech. R RESULTS 27 BY CAROL BADARACCO PADGETT Reading Lights Georgia communities brighten lives through literacy As Gail Walker says, "Second chances come rarely. So you'd better reach out and take that chance you're offered." Walker should know. At age 50, she found herself laid off from a job she'd held for 15 years. The job market in Gordon which provides a blueprint for commu- County didn't exactly embrace nities to use in setting up effective lit- applicants without GEDs. So eracy programs. Walker seized an opportunity, "Dr. Breeden always says, earned her GED, and garnered a `CLCP is not about teaching people number of community accolades to read and write. It's about changing including the 2002 EAGLE GED the culture of a community,'" says Student of the Year. Now, she offers Billie Izard, CLCP's executive director. words of encouragement and hope for The 10-year CLCP certification the students she advises in her new job at Coosa Valley Technical College. A bit like Walker herself, Georgia Gail Walker was recently awarded the 2002 EAGLE GED Student of the Year. process requires that communities be certified twice: first when they make a commitment to serve their target population, got a rude awakening following the and again when the 10 years are over and 1990 Census. Nationally, one in five people read they've reached the necessary numbers and sustained ade- below the fifth-grade level. For Georgia, that num- quate funding. For CLCP purposes, target populations ber was one in four. That was enough to get the include every person in a community age 16 and older wheels turning for Dr. Ken Breeden, DTAE com- who lacks a high school diploma or GED. missioner. Today, the CLCP program boasts 51 communities in Breeden and the DTAE set out to help Georgia active participation. The following five have completed improve its literacy rates. He spearheaded the the 10-year process and are bona fide Certified Literate Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP), Communities. 28 DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION MUSCOGEE COUNTY has a population of about 20,000. Washington County had no services exclusively for adult literacy, so the com- CERTIFIED APRIL 6, 2000 munity and the kaolin industry showed an early interest. "All of those [kaolin] companies jumped on the bandwagon," Shurling recalls. "They financed us and Muscogee County, home turf of Columbus, Ga., let us go in and teach their holds the distinction of being the first Certified Literate Community in Georgia. "Columbus is known for pulling the private and public sectors together to work on a common cause," says Brenda Sybrant, executive director of the community's Certified Literate Community Program. "And that's something that benefited us as we were developing our goals and objectives." Because of its large population of 180,000, the county needed to reach considerable numbers. "We were taxed with serving 18,402," Sybrant says. "But we overachieved and served more than 21,000, and we were very proud of that." Sybrant says the biggest reward of achieving certification is the way the program has directed Criteria for Participation in CLCP 1. A community group must establish plans and objectives dedicated to the accomplishment of the mission and goals of the Certified Literate Community Program. 2. A diverse representation of the community must be actively involved in the Certified Literate Community Program organization. employees. That was a big boost to our numbers." The county's CLCP proved invaluable to Gloria Barnes (left) with Sandersville Tech Adult Literacy instructor Rhonda Knight Sandersville resident Gloria Barnes. Married nearly 16 years, Barnes regretted that she had never completed formal education. "You lose out on a lot when you quit school at an early age," she says. "It's vital to my family for me to be educated. I'd like to participate in my son's educa- tion, and my being more educated will help him." Barnes says the teachers at Sandersville Tech made her feel comfortable and helped her suc- ceed. "When you have teachers who are willing to sit down and make sure you get it, who talk to people's attention to literacy. "Our program focused not only on the basic reading and writing," she explains. "It focused on workplace literacy. And it focused on encouraging community members to 3. Boundaries of the community must be specified for the purpose of the program. you like a human being, not a robot, it helps you go a long way," she says. It's Barnes' kind of enthusiasm that keeps Sandersville's literacy program on the move. become ambassadors." Muscogee County's CLCP is currently taking on even more literacy-related causes. One such program is called Columbus Reads. "Our programs now cover literacy needs from birth to old age," Sybrant says. WASHINGTON COUNTY CERTIFIED JUNE 7, 2001 4. Census data should be consulted to determine the number of adults targeted for participation in the program. An analysis should be conducted to define the literacy needs to be addressed in the recruiting plan. 5. Plans for achieving these goals should be established so that the community can attain literate status within 10 years. "Now that we've reached the goal of certification, we're going to focus on advocacy and developing an advertising campaign," Shurling says. "Hopefully, we'll bring even more students to the technical college." ELBERT COUNTY CERTIFIED OCT. 4, 2001 Christy Shurling, director of the Washington County Alliance for Literacy, came on board with the community's literacy program a year after it got under way, and stayed for the duration. "The community really got behind our program and understood our target," she says. "They financed us and helped us get through the 10 years. We truly are small-town Georgia. And if we can do it, anyone can." In its 10-year quest to achieve CLCP status, the Washington County alliance reached approximately 2,140 people. The central Georgia county 6. A method will be established for evaluating the progress toward the program's goals. 7. The Certified Literate Community Program concept needs the written endorsement of all relevant governing bodies, such as Boards of Education and Chambers of Commerce. 8. A budget plan for three years must be developed, with sufficient funds and resources committed to accommodate the program for the first year, including the support of a full- or half-time community program administrator. ECCEL, an acronym for the Elbert County Council for Effective Literacy, is located in the granite capital of the world, Elberton, Ga. The program serves the county of nearly 20,000. Teresa Harrison, chair of the board of directors for ECCEL, says some of the Council's services are provided through Athens Technical College, where she is director of student services. "We not only provide office space for the executive director, but we also have the adult learning center here," she says. ECCEL casts a wide net in its literacy efforts. continued next page RESULTS 29 One of its centers -- it has several besides the Athens Tech site -- works with the mentally disabled. It also targets another special group: people in the local jail. "[Program teachers] go in and help any of the inmates who want to learn to read," Harrison says. One Elbert County literacy program participant, 20-year-old Holly Johnson, says the county's services have made a world of difference for her. "They helped me a lot. And after I received my GED, I decided I wanted to further my education," she adds. Johnson, a wife and mother, is now enrolled at Athens Tech where she's earning her LPN degree. After that, she plans to work toward her RN degree. Harrison and her team plan to continue their efforts until the community's entire target population has been served. "We're determined not to stop," she says. "We hit our halfway mark to get our certification, so that means we still have halfway to go." GORDON COUNTY CERTIFIED NOV. 1, 2001 Just 15 minutes north of Dalton, Ga., the Calhoun/Gordon Council for a Literate Community reached approximately 4,500 citizens in need of literacy services to attain its certification numbers. The goal was realized under husband-and-wife team Kyle and Vivian Smith, who served as joint program directors for the entire 10 years. Kyle Smith says the Calhoun/Gordon Council relied heavily on public relations efforts to reach its certification numbers. The group used radio, local cable, and its presence at every community function -- from fairs to rodeos, ballgames to PTA open houses -- to raise awareness. Overall, the program touched more than 7,000 people during the 10-year period, including Hispanic, Japanese and Russian populations in the area. Smith notes that the biggest reason for his community's success was an active board. "We had committees of dedicated people from all walks of life who really wanted this to work," he says. The literacy council strove to remove any barriers that might keep people from attending classes. "We provided transportation as well as childcare, and we paid for childcare if that was a problem," he says. The council also devised a funding solution early on: It became a United Way agency, which allowed it to be reviewed annually for funding. In return, the Smiths and other committee members spoke on behalf of the United Way, making various presentations to business and industry. Community involvement remains a central goal. Last fall, residents were encouraged to read Terry Kay's To Dance with the White Dog, and Kay subsequently visited the community for a book discussion. For the future, Gordon County's literacy efforts will continue full-steam ahead under its new director, Wayne Minshew. KEYSVILLE, BURKE COUNTY CERTIFIED SEPT. 5, 2002 Mayor Emma Gresham of Burke County's Keysville, Ga., population 390, is a 77-year-old retired teacher. She is also a devoted advocate of education and an active participant in Visions of Literacy, a committee that grew out of the education concerns of a group called Keysville Concerned Citizens. "When I first heard about the Certified Literate Community Program, I was so happy," Gresham says. "It gave us the tools and all the necessary skills we needed to set up a program." Since the 1950s, Keysville has had no school in its city limits. "Without a school, many young people in the neighborhood didn't have people looking over their education," she says. As a result, many residents lacked a high school education. And it was these people that Visions of Literacy strove to reach. Gresham recalls that one Keysville resident, an elderly gentleman now deceased, came to learn simply to sign his name and read from his hymnal. The first time he went to a store after attending classes, the cashier told him just to sign an X. "And he said, `No, my teacher wants me to write my name.' So he took his time and wrote his name. I was so proud when he came back and told me," Gresham recalls. Newly certified Keysville, armed with a host of willing community volunteers, will continue to stress the importance of education to its residents. "Because it all goes together," Gresham says. "Good health and good education bring about a better community." R 30 DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION "[CLCP] gave us the tools and all the necessary skills we needed to set up a program." EMMA GRESHAM, Mayor of Keysville MEN Georgia's Fatherhood Program helps non-custodial fathers get the job done as dads Anthony Hilson with his son Dillon at When MR. WILLIAMS ENTERED THE Georgia Fatherhood Program (GFP) at Albany Technical College in January 2002, the angry, unemployed father had neither the money for his most basic needs nor the selfesteem to change his situation. Even so, he proved himself a quick study and soon emerged as a top student and motivated GFP participant. By June he had found a part-time job as assistant manager of an upscale restaurant and was maintaining an A average in his study of restaurant and hotel management. This oncehopeless man now dreams of owning a restaurant and credits GFP as the one positive factor in his life that made him believe he was worthy of a brighter future. Success stories like Mr. Williams' are streaming out of Georgia's technical colleges and gaining attention nationwide as other states look to emulate the GFP. The program provides education, training and job placement for non-custodial parents with court-ordered child support. "Not all fathers are deadbeat dads, but many of them are dead broke and need education and assistance in finding a job and learning how to stay on the job," says Frank Bates, DTAE's director of special workforce services. His office works in tandem with the Department of Human Resources' child support enforcement agency to implement the fatherhood program. "The program serves as a national model for how to team state agencies with the academic community and enforcement agencies to do something positive to stop the generational cycle of non-custodial parents," Bates says. This year, GFP will deliver services to approximately continued next page BY SUZETTE HILL Work RESULTS 31 GEORGIA First in Fatherhood A partnership between the Department of Technical and Adult Education and the Department of Human Resources, the Georgia Fatherhood Program (GFP) is the only statewide fatherhood program in the country with a multi-agency approach. It is widely recognized as one of the nation's strongest fatherhood initiatives. Preston Garrison, executive director of Washington, D.C.- based National Practitioners Network for Fathers and Families, explains that Georgia's program is unique because it pools the resources and talents of not only the child support agency -- typically the sole province of such programs -- but also the technical college system, both working together in a coordinat- ed fashion. "There is no other effort of this magnitude in the United States," Garrison says. "Connecticut and a number of other states are moving in the direction of a collaborative approach, but Georgia has had several more years of experience." Last year, U.S. Reps. Jack Kingston and John Lewis hosted the first-ever Georgia Congressional Statewide, 70% of Fatherhood Information Forum in Washington, D.C., with 100 atten- GFP's participants attain dees involved in local and national fatherhood efforts gathering to glean information from GFP officials. permanent employment earning a living wage. Sandersville Tech's Frank Bates, DTAE director of special workforce services, attended the forum and made a special presentation to Sen. Zell Miller for GFP coordinator Ronnie Freeman, however, has raised the bar to his contributions to the development of GFP during his tenure as governor. R 86% with the help of simulated job interviews. 3,600 fathers, 40 percent of whom are enrolled in a credit-hour course with plans to attain a technical certificate or degree. (Each school provides at least three technical certifications that do not require a high school diploma or GED.) GFP clients also receive in-depth employability literacy assessments as well as career-interest inventories and training in life-management skills. While the most popular programs with GFP participants include truck driving, welding and automotive technology, their career-interest inventories often reveal unexpected aptitudes. For example, Savannah Technical College has several GFP participants with no computer experience excelling in the Cisco networking program, says Debra Booker, GFP coordinator at Savannah Tech. GFP's ultimate goal is to provide participants permanent employment earning a living wage -- a goal that about 70 percent attain. At Sandersville Technical College, however, the bar has been raised to 86 percent. GFP Coordinator Ronnie Freeman credits the success in part to simulated job interviews conducted with participants. "We go over grooming and dressing tips and interviewing skills, and then we do a mock interview that we tape," Freeman says. The entire group critiques the interviews and provides constructive criticism to each other. Booker derives tremendous personal satisfaction from watching GFP participants develop personal and professional goals they had never thought possible. "Most of them come into the program very angry, with no life skills and low self-esteem," she says. "Then they learn what we have to offer and see that other men are going through the same thing. They form a support network and become each other's positive role models." More than 85 percent of them graduate from the program with professional and personal skills that will benefit both their children and them for a lifetime. "We have one participant who had third-grade literacy when he entered the program at age 53," Booker says. "He's since completed his GED and has a 4.0 in our automotive technology program." Another father recently completed Savannah Tech's welding program and has gone on to an oceanography school in Houston for additional training in underwater welding. "He'll make lots of money when he comes back," Booker says with satisfaction. Money may not buy happiness -- but it can provide happier circumstances. "We may never bring the father and mother together again," says Bates, "but we can make sure they provide better support for the child." R Ronnie Freeman (left), GFP coordinator at Sandersville Tech, conducts a simulated interview with David Powell. Perspective PRESIDENT'S Community Bonds HOW OUR SCHOOL FORGES LASTING LOCAL TIES By Terry Elam, President S Augusta Technical College pending 30 years as an educator has been quite a journey, with my philosophy of education evolving through passages of experience. Although I came from a family of electricians, and was used to being around people with technical training, I believed that the four-year, traditional college was the route everyone should take. Later, as a high school teacher, I thought my mission was to guide every student in that direc- tion. But then one of my students visited me a couple of years after he graduated. "I'm working for your cousin," he said, "as an electrician." He told me his salary, and I exclaimed, "That's great! You're making almost as much as I am." And he replied, "By next year I will be." At the same time, I knew many students with four-year college degrees in subject areas that rendered them practically unemployable. That shaped my notion of what education really should mean: preparation for life. For most of us, life involves work. If work is to be a key component of one's exis- tence, one must be qualified, satisfied and competent. So I began to see technical education as a vehicle to change the economic conditions of many, many young people. In the 20 years I've been at Augusta Technical College, my views have continued to evolve as I've watched our col- lege become increasingly intertwined in the entire community. There's hardly an aspect of life in our town that we do not touch in some way, in spheres as diverse as healthcare, recre- ation, dining, social work, juvenile justice, secondary education, and the entire spectrum of local business and industry. Here are some examples of those community ties: We have worked extensively with Sitel Corp., an around-the-clock call center that employs 300 to 600 people, depending on workload. We have helped Sitel with developing customer service and computer skills, and many of our students work there part-time. Another company we've partnered with is Procter & Gamble, which has a soap plant and a distribution center in Augusta. For the past seven years, Augusta Tech staff members have worked at Procter & Gamble developing online and computerized training packages in safety and maintenance. As a testament to the company's satisfaction with our services, it has renewed its contract with Augusta Tech every year. Our CMS program has been unbelievably successful in Waynesboro, where CMS certification is a job requirement at every single manufacturing firm. Following the lead of others, manufacturers have adopted the requirement one by one, including such leading corporations as FIAMM, which makes sealed batteries, and Samsons Manufacturing, the world's largest producer of curtains and drapes. To help provide a qualified workforce for manufacturers, Augusta Tech has implemented a CMS program at Burke County High continued next page A SERIES OF EDITORIALS BY THE PRESIDENTS OF GEORGIA'S TECHNICAL COLLEGES RESULTS 33 School. Now, the once agriculture-dominated Burke County is a hot area for economic development with an impressive manufacturing base. Augusta Tech's alliance with local hospitals is extensive because of our numerous health occupation programs. At University Hospital, we provide the curriculum for a Cardiovascular Technology program, while the hospital pays for the staff and provides classroom space. Graduates of this program enter the workforce at average annual salaries of $35,000-plus. And our Radiologic Technology program is funded jointly with the Medical College of Georgia, located in Augusta. Students take all their clinical classes at MCG, an arrangement that provides our students access to the most state-of-the-art equipment. Every technical college in Georgia aims to serve its local institutions and activities. In Augusta, that means golf in general and the Augusta National in particular. Thus, our Golf Course Management program directly benefits the over 30 golf courses in our area. Many of those students work at the Masters Tournament -- an event that's a publicity dream for any college president, with international visitors rubbing elbows with our students and asking where they go to school. Similarly, as downtown Augusta makes a comeback with revitalized entertainment districts, Augusta Tech is preparing a batch of skilled professionals through the Culinary Arts program. Many of our graduates are employed at new fine-dining establishments downtown. Affiliations with business and industry would be impossible without advisory committees, which are in place at every technical college in the state. Augusta Tech has more than 500 advisory committee members, local business people skilled in their respective fields who serve as experts and advisers for all our programs. These are the unsung heroes who keep the technical college curriculum focused and relevant to the real world. I believe that the soaring enrollment figures at Georgia's technical colleges can be attributed to advisory committee members because, quite simply, they tell us what skills people need in the workplace. They in turn benefit from this relationship by helping to shape a prepared workforce. Community involvement doesn't stop with business and industry. We work with the Chamber of Commerce on recruitment and serve on a variety of committees, especially the Education Committee. We want to make sure that technical education is always at the table when we're talking education at the Chamber. In addition, Augusta Tech is rep- resented at the United Way, Red Cross and many other social and charitable organizations, since staff members must make community outreach a part of their regular jobs. Here are a few other community initiatives I'm extremely proud of: At Augusta's Youth Development Center, a long-term facility for troubled male youth, we provide not only GED preparation but also technical training in several fields. With Workforce Investment Act funding, we teach basic computer skills at the Labor Department's one-stop facility in Augusta as well as in our refurbished mobile lab, outfitted with computers and driven into rural areas. We operate a small-business incubator for the AugustaRichmond County government. This 17,000-sq.-ft. facility, adjacent to our campus, houses 10 small businesses that pay reduced rent and have access to the services of accountants and attorneys at reduced rates. No longer a marginal player in the realm of higher learning, technical education is now a mainstream option for vast numbers of students. Its role in society-at-large is also front and center, as evidenced by our myriad partnerships. Economic development is not a division within our school; our whole school revolves around economic development. Our goal is to change the ability of an individual to become successful in the workforce. By investing in our students, we invest in business. And therefore we invest in the fabric of our communities. R 34 TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education The Department of Technical and Adult Education and its constitutent Technical Colleges do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, veteran status or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION TECHNICAL COLLEGES Albany Technical College Albany, Georgia Altamaha Technical College Jesup, Georgia Appalachian Technical College Jasper, Georgia Athens Technical College Athens, Georgia Atlanta Technical College Atlanta, Georgia Augusta Technical College Augusta, Georgia Central Georgia Technical College Macon, Georgia Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, Georgia Columbus Technical College Columbus, Georgia Coosa Valley Technical College Rome, Georgia DeKalb Technical College Clarkston, Georgia East Central Technical College Fitzgerald, Georgia Flint River Technical College Thomaston, Georgia Georgia Aviation and Technical College Eastman, Georgia Griffin Technical College Griffin, Georgia Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, Georgia Heart of Georgia Technical College Dublin, Georgia Lanier Technical College Oakwood, Georgia Middle Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, Georgia Moultrie Technical College Moultrie, Georgia North Georgia Technical College Clarkesville, Georgia North Metro Technical College Acworth, Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rock Spring, Georgia Ogeechee Technical College Statesboro, Georgia Okefenokee Technical College Waycross, Georgia Sandersville Technical College Sandersville, Georgia Savannah Technical College Savannah, Georgia South Georgia Technical College Americus, Georgia Southeastern Technical College Vidalia, Georgia Southwest Georgia Technical College Thomasville, Georgia Swainsboro Technical College Swainsboro, Georgia Valdosta Technical College Valdosta, Georgia West Central Technical College Carrollton, Georgia West Georgia Technical College LaGrange, Georgia TECHNICAL DIVISIONS Bainbridge College Bainbridge, Georgia Clayton College and State University Morrow, Georgia Coastal Georgia Community College Brunswick, Georgia Dalton State College Dalton, Georgia Web-based courses of Georgia's technical colleges are accessed through the Georgia Virtual Technical College (GVTC), http://www.gvtc.org.