507
WBL & YAP Coordinators
26,948
2020 Students Served
9,000+
Participating Employers
$56,241,580
2020 Wages Earned by WBL Students
381
Participating Schools
The Georgia Work-Based Learning Program assists businesses with building a highly trained, technologically sophisticated and career oriented young work force. Our goal is to assist in the creation of a strong support structure between local employers, students and schools. Work-Based Learning supplies talent to address industry workforce shortage needs. We promote an industry-driven system where employers set occupational skills standards, collaborate on curriculum, provide work experience and certify mastery of skills. Focus on the future with Georgia Work-Based Learning.
The mission of the Work-Based Learning Program is to assist in providing a highly trained, technologically sophisticated and career oriented young work force. This is accomplished by developing partnerships between business, industry, students, parents, school systems, coordinators, post-secondary institutions, and registered apprenticeships which will lead the participating student into meaningful careers.
Georgia had 19,394 students enrolled in credit bearing Work-Based Learning courses in 2017, which includes 3,219 students in Youth Apprenticeship Placements. The vision of the Work-Based Learning Program includes:
Creating a seamless transition from career oriented courses in High School to post-secondary education, credentials, and a successful career.
Opportunity for students to develop strong employability skills (soft skills) that will make them desired employees.
Application of the technical skills learned in related coursework while working in real life employment situations
Super Lawn Technologies, a manufacturing company in middle Georgia, experiences huge success through the first ever Work Based Learning partnership with local schools. Learn how they have given energetic and smart students a chance to gain valuable work experience while getting paid.
“Without support from the WBL coordinators who really KNOW the kids...we may not have as much success.”
Tony Bass, Founder Super Lawn Technologies
WBL & YAP Coordinators
2020 Students Served
Participating Employers
2020 Wages Earned by WBL Students
Participating Schools
Our local Work Based Learning program provides sharp, professional students who are talented and eager to learn. We use WBL participants as part of our intern program and enjoy how readily they integrate with our team. It is wonderful to have this resource in our community for creating career paths that benefit small businesses with a work-ready work force to recruit locally from.
| Work Based Learning Student of the Year | |
| East Central Region: | Anna Lorelei Culbreath, Evans High School. Coordinator: Tim Perry |
| Northeast Region: | Ashton Hill, Madison County High School. Coordinator: Sarah Waldrop |
| Northwest Region: | Jamez McPherson, Lithia Springs High School. Coordinator: Kimberly Isles-Towry |
| Southeast Region: | Olivia Thrift, Ware County High School. Coordinator: Kim Callahan |
| Southwest Region: | Madison Hardy, Cook High School. Coordinator: Jenny Pitts |
| West Central Region: | Bailee Tracy, Harris County High School. Coordinator: Gary Johannes |
Overall Work Based Learning Student of the Year: Ashton Hill, Madison County High School, Coordinator: Sarah Waldrop | |
| Youth Apprenticeship Program Completer of the Year | |
| Northeast Region: | Carlos Mendoza-Mojica, Gainesville High School. Coordinator: Helen Perry |
| Northwest Region: | Laura Kate Wright, Dalton High School. Coordinators: Dr. Larry Tripp, Doug Shults |
| Southeast Region: | Graci Thrift, Ware County High School. Coordinator: Kim Callahan |
| Southwest Region: | Andrew Malone Harrell, Cook High School. Coordinator: Jenny Pitts |
| West Central Region: | Tra’quan Jones, Northside High School. Coordinator: Sandi Couillard |
Overall Youth Apprenticeship Program Completer of the Year: Graci Thrift, Ware County High School, Coordinator: Kim Callahan | |
| WBL Business Partner of the Year | |
| Northeast Region: | Kubota Manufacturing of America, Coordinator: Deana Harper |
| Northwest Region: | Northside Hospital, Coordinator: Emily Henderson |
| Southeast Region: | Wellman Family Healthcare, Coordinator: Susan Faulk |
| Southwest Region: | Nichols Lures, Coordinator: Brandi Miranda |
| West Central Region: | Kimble’s, Coordinator: Gary Johannes |
Overall Work Based Learning Business Partner of the Year: Kubota Manufacturing of America, Coordinator: Deana Harper |
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| Distinguished WBL Coordinators of the Year | |
| Cathy Ferguson, Jones County High School/College and Career Academy | |
| Edd Saxon, Haralson County College and Career Academy | |
| Jennifer Turner, Loganville High School | |
| Jason Van Nus, Lowndes High School | |
Three of the most challenging jobs to be found in the Lowndes County area concerning Work-Based Learning are Healthcare, Automotive, and Welding placements. Steeda Manufacturing has stepped up in a HUGE way for the Lowndes High School (LHS) Work-based Learning (WBL) program by providing a great work environment that will serve the students in two of these three areas. Steeda Manufacturing has hired Justin Ridley as a fabrication specialist where he will weld and manufacture the custom, made-to-order, parts that are purchased by Steeda customers across the country. This placement aligns perfectly with the pathways, both Automotive and Ag. Mechanics (Welding/Fabrication), that Justin has taken at Lowndes High School.
Mr. Scott Boda, the Director of Manufacturing at Steeda, has a passion for his business, but also for investing in the emerging workforce by providing the work-ethics and employability skills necessary for success in any career field. He will no doubt be an excellent mentor for Justin, and we are excited about the prospect of a long-lasting relationship with Steeda Manufacturing.
