Georgia education leaders study Whitfield County workforce development

In this May 15, 2014, staff file photo, graduating senior Shelbi Mullinax, near left, salutes as Maj. Jeff McDonald, technology teacher at Southeast Whitfield High School, is honored by local Marines, school staff and students in Dalton.
In this May 15, 2014, staff file photo, graduating senior Shelbi Mullinax, near left, salutes as Maj. Jeff McDonald, technology teacher at Southeast Whitfield High School, is honored by local Marines, school staff and students in Dalton.

As they study how public schools can better prepare their children for work, Georgia Department of Education employees are going to watch Whitfield County.

The county's school system is one of five participating in the launch of the Economic Development Partnership program. The initiative is supposed to help build stronger ties between local employers and school systems, Department of Education spokeswoman Meghan Frick said. The hope? With close partnerships, school officials can figure out how to train students to fill open jobs in their communities.

In addition to Whitfield County, the Department of Education is partnering with Newton County, Muscogee County, Wayne County and Marietta City Schools. The programs are not getting any extra money. The state's education leaders hope they can learn "best practices" and take them to other counties.

"We did specifically look for systems doing good work," Frick said. "It's an honor and recognition for Whitfield County Schools."

For years, Whitfield County Schools spokesman Eric Beavers said, the system has offered a traditional career academy. Students would attend typical classes for half a day, then take courses in their areas of expertise, such as health care science or cooking.

But last fall, the county launched the Advanced Manufacturing and Business Academy. Participants go to traditional classes for two days a week. The other three days, they apprentice at local businesses.

The students take entry-level manufacturing and support jobs, for pay. They may also get full-time jobs over the summer or after they graduate. Four carpet companies are participating: Beaulieu America, J&J Flooring, Mohawk Industries and Shaw Industries.

At least one student from last year's program got a full-time job this year, Beavers said. That student is also going to college, with the company helping to pay for classes.

Contact staff writer Tyler Jett at 423-757-6476 or tjett@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @LetsJett.

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