Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Adult Education Program helps adults earn a high school equivalency (HSE) and youth receive HSE and workforce training.
Fort Oglethorpe resident Mia Edwards completed her HSE in June 2022 at the GNTC Walker County Campus in Rock Springs. She said she finished school in the 11th grade, gave birth to her daughter a year later, and earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) degree. ) certificate. She wanted something better for her two young children. Seeing how well her daughter did at university inspired her to come back for her HSE.
“The adult education staff never gave up on me,” Edwards said. “They cheered me on, made me believe in myself more, motivated me and pushed me to continue my education after completing HSE.”
Since earning her HSE, she has earned her Social Work Assistant Associate Degree, Addiction Specialist Certification, and Domestic Violence Specialist Certification from GNTC at the Walker County Campus. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work and said she plans to become a life coach.
Edwards works for Four Points, a supervised visitation center that serves civilian cases and cases affiliated with the Department of Family and Children Services. She said she plans to continue working as a CNA and maintain her license because of her passion for providing bedside care.
Mia Edwards earned her high school equivalency degree in June 2022 at GNTC’s Walker County campus in Rock Springs. She also earned her Social Work Assistant Associate Degree, Addiction Specialist Certification, and Domestic Violence Specialist Certification from GNTC.
adult education
GNTC’s Adult Education Program provides instruction and preparation in HSE, Adult Secondary Education, Adult Basic Education, and English as a Second Language at adult learning centers throughout the university’s nine-county service area.
In the 2023 academic year, 1,978 students underwent adult education programs, including 414 HSE graduates and 69 students who completed the Training on the Go qualification.
“For many adults, lack of a high school diploma or proficiency in English language skills prevents them from achieving their career and educational goals,” said Lisa, vice president of adult education at GNTC. Shaw explains. “Our adult education programs provide adult learners with quality instruction and support to help them develop the skills they need to get a job or advance in their chosen career path. opportunities, university transition support, and workshops on soft skills and digital literacy.”
GNTC’s adult education program allows students to set goals and strives to provide them with all the resources they need to achieve those goals, Shaw said.
The learning environment has special consideration for adults returning to school to resume their educational programs. Refresh your reading, writing, and math skills as you re-enter the job market. Prepare for the HSE test. Eligible for jobs and educational programs that require a high school diploma. Learn English as a second language or work toward your personal educational goals.
GNTC offers year-round classes through spring, summer, and fall semesters. Adults of any age, 18 years or older, who have not graduated from a U.S. or Canadian high school or have not previously taken the HSE are eligible to register for classes for free.
To participate in adult education, 16- and 17-year-old minors must submit a high school exit certificate and receive special permission from the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).
“Adult education benefits the state of Georgia, our communities, and our families,” Shaw said. “This will help build Georgia’s skilled workforce, improve communication skills to improve community engagement, and equip parents with the ability to support their children’s education.”
Employees who improve their basic reading, writing, and math skills and learn to communicate in English will be more productive within their organizations. Employers can also request adult education instructors to bring adult education services into the workplace.
Youth Success Academy
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Success Academy (YSA) enables out-of-school youth to access HSE and technical education by providing test preparation, job readiness, workshops, and leadership activities. I’ll make it. This program is sponsored through a partnership with GNTC and the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission. Eligible participants can apply for travel and child care scholarships in five programs offered by YSA.
Youth Success Academy graduate Brianna Tucker said she has seen more job opportunities and a brighter future since completing the program. She attends classes at the Walker County campus and lives in Rock Springs.
“I started HSE when I was seven months pregnant and never finished,” Ms Tucker said. “After giving birth to my son, I received a letter in the post and I took it as a sign that I needed to complete the HSE.”
Ms. Tucker completed HSE in May 2024 and began classes at GNTC in August. Once I complete the prerequisites for the Healthcare Management program, I plan to transfer to the Associate Degree Program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Her goal is to become a sonographer.
“Brianna worked hard to complete her HSE,” said Kim Arrowood, GNTC WIOA Youth Services Instructor. “It’s been a lot of fun watching her battle through adversity and get through the program.”
“Serving young adults often means they require additional job preparation, interest in work, and even financial skills, because they have yet to acquire these skills. Because a lot of times we don’t,” Arrowood said.
Arrowood said the program enrolled 119 new students last year, and 79 of them graduated with an HSE.
The HSE program is open to individuals ages 16 to 24 and covers the cost of HSE testing, provides classroom instruction and support from dedicated professionals, teaches leadership and survival skills, and provides college and career counseling. We provide.
“Students under the age of 18 must participate in a program where they are exempt from the HSE testing restrictions,” she explained. “In that sense, we consider ourselves important.”
The Individual Training Account (ITA) helps with college costs for first-time college students between the ages of 18 and 24. The program pays for tuition not covered by HOPE scholarships, purchases books and supplies for students, and teaches leadership skills and job readiness. To qualify, students must major in an approved, high-demand profession.
Arrowood added: “Providing the grant will help remove some barriers for these students.” “Many of the young people who come to us don’t have transportation to get to class, so our small transportation grant allows them to pay for Walker transportation and help their families get to campus. It can make up for the inconvenience of having to be picked up and dropped off.”
Work experience programs help out-of-school youth aged 18-24 gain work experience, learn basic work ethics, learn leadership and work readiness, and develop communication and teamwork skills . Participants are paid $9 an hour and work up to 40 hours per week. They can work up to 450 hours in this program. The goal of this program is to lead to potential employment.
YSA will cover the cost of tuition, books, and supplies for participants in the short-term training program. The program is open to participants ages 18 to 24 and teaches leadership and job readiness. If an employer wishes to participate in the training program, YSA approval is required.
YSA also offers short training courses in gas arc welding (MIG) skills and gas tungsten arc welding (TIG) skills.
For more information about YSA at Walker County Campus, call 706-764-3783. For information about the Floyd County campus, call 706-295-6940.
