Education

Georgia education reform may affect jobs

Nov. 13, 2015 - Jesus Vazquez works on a MIG welding assignment in welding lab. He is one of the students at Lanier Charter Career Academy that take a welding class at nearby Lanier Technical College. Gov. Nathan Deal’s Education Reform Commission is considering a request that the Technical College System of Georgia replace its admissions test with one that can create a “job ready” certification for skills, from welding to cosmetology, that could be obtained while in high school through dual enrollment in technical colleges. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Nov. 13, 2015 - Jesus Vazquez works on a MIG welding assignment in welding lab. He is one of the students at Lanier Charter Career Academy that take a welding class at nearby Lanier Technical College. Gov. Nathan Deal’s Education Reform Commission is considering a request that the Technical College System of Georgia replace its admissions test with one that can create a “job ready” certification for skills, from welding to cosmetology, that could be obtained while in high school through dual enrollment in technical colleges. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

By Ty Tagami

Dec 24, 2015

Jesus Vazquez guided an eyeball-scorching flame, and the room crackled with noise as he tried to control a molten bead of metal that would determine success or failure.

A lot of kids like him wind up behind a burger counter or in other low-wage jobs, but this Hall County high school student wants something better, and this welding practice at a community college could help him get it. He enrolled in a new program that could lead to work with one of Gainesville’s better-paying employers. It’s the kind of opportunity that some leaders are hoping to give other teenagers across Georgia who wouldn’t otherwise have a shot at such training or at college.

» GET THE FULL STORY: Read more on MyAJC.com

About the Author

More Stories

Keep Reading

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Atlanta parents, residents object to plans to close some schools

Due to lower enrollment and climbing costs, 16 school buildings would be repurposed under the plan, with several schools closing and their students rezoned for other schools.

Judge overturns expulsion of Cobb student who warned friends of school threat

A Cobb County judge said the school system did not prove that a student who warned friends about a perceived threat intentionally disrupted the school day.

Three Atlanta school board races appear headed to runoffs

The Latest

Atlanta parents, residents object to plans to close some schools

Three Atlanta school board races appear headed to runoffs

Judge overturns expulsion of Cobb student who warned friends of school threat

Featured

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

AJC EXCLUSIVE

Fulton County, sheriff nine months late on required jail implementation plan

The legal agreement with the DOJ mandates jail upgrades, but leaves the deadlines to the implementation schedule.

Flight affected by FAA cuts? Here’s what to do.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, the busiest airport in the world, is on the list of airports affected — and will also likely see cancellations and delays.

Arctic blast bringing cold shot to metro Atlanta, snow possible in mountains

Temperatures across North Georgia will plunge early next week and could even bring a taste of snow to the state’s tallest mountains.