Middle Georgia BRIDGE Tech Prep/ School to Work Consortium

School-to-Work graphic three girls

SCHOOL-TO-WORK

The focus for the State of Georgia's School-to-Work (STW) Initiative, an extension of the Department of Technical and Adult Education, is to develop a world-class educational system for Georgia that will promote economic development by bringing together employers, community members, and the education system. In addition to the state's focus, the Middle Georgia BRIDGE (Building Relationships for Initiatives to Develop Georgia Education and Employment) partnership has developed plans to assure that all students, out-of-school youth and adults in the Middle Georgia Technical College service area make a smooth transition from education to high-wage, high-skill careers.

Middle Georgia BRIDGE STW GAPS

The partnership, which currently serves Dooly, Houston, Peach, and Pulaski counties, is using STW funds and partnership resources to close three significant gaps that were identified during the planning phase of the School-to-Work grant:

Insufficient emphasis on career exploration, planning, and assessment
Significant number of high school graduates in the four county area not prepared for
and unable to successfully transition to postsecondary institutions or career areas of choice
Lack of identifiable resources that focus on School-to-Work opportunities

Action Steps

Below find three of the many activities to which the BRIDGE partnership has been instrumental in the implementation of in the consortium's service area:

CHOICES - an interactive seminar designed to help 8th graders realize they can take charge of their lives. Trained business/community volunteers show students that every decision has a consequence - both short and long term.
BRIDGES.com - a career and planning system for middle and high school students, parents and educators that supports career awareness, career planning, and career transition activities via the Internet.
Groundhog Job Shadow Day - an education-based activity that allows students to take part in the world of work by "shadowing" a business of their choice in their area of interest.

For more information on STW contact Alicia Long, Tech Prep /STW Coordinator at (478) 988-6883 or at along@mgtc.org.