Education
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

Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.

Follow Ty Tagami on facebookFollow Ty Tagami on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Children who participated in the city of South Fulton's summer camp last year received backpacks containing school supplies. (Courtesy of Councilwoman Helen Willis)

Credit: Courtesy of Councilwoman Helen Willis

Where to go for free back-to-school supplies in metro Atlanta

Metro Atlanta parents can find free backpacks, supplies and more at these back-to-school events in July and August.

Cobb school board won’t livestream public speakers anymore

Public comment will still be open to in-person attendees.

Morehouse College alum detained by ICE in Texas

Alex Maganda, a former Morehouse football player, came to the U.S. from Mexico at 5 years old, his attorney said. A hearing on his case is expected within the next two weeks.

The Latest

Children who participated in the city of South Fulton's summer camp last year received backpacks containing school supplies. (Courtesy of Councilwoman Helen Willis)

Credit: Courtesy of Councilwoman Helen Willis

Where to go for free back-to-school supplies in metro Atlanta

Cobb school board won’t livestream public speakers anymore

Morehouse College alum detained by ICE in Texas

Featured

“Our members cannot be bought off,” General President Sean O’Brien said in a social media statement, calling UPS' offers “illegal and haphazard.” (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2023)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

UPS offers unprecedented buyouts for drivers

The Teamsters union, which represents about 340,000 UPS employees, is urging its full-time members to reject the offers.

Longtime south Atlanta flea market set for massive mixed-use makeover

The developer is planning one of the largest projects in Atlanta’s Southside, a more than $500 million project near Greenbriar Mall.

MARTA chief Collie Greenwood retiring early

MARTA CEO and General Manager Collie Greenwood is leaving “because of immigration and personal matters” and has elected early retirement.