Clayton County Schools on Monday graduated the first class of students from its Firefighter/Emergency Medical Services Apprenticeship Academy.
Twelve students from Charles Drew High School in Riverdale and Mundy’s Mill High School in Jonesboro completed the three-year program in May, the first group since the district launched the training in 2017.
The Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services Department has hired seven of the graduates while the remaining five have been enrolled in the organization’s recruitment program for enhanced training, the district said.
Starting salaries for the new fire and EMS hires is around $42,000 a year, the district said.
“You are our heroes, Clayton Schools Superintendent Morcease Beasley told the graduates during ceremonies Monday at the Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services Training Facility in Riverdale.
“By successfully completing the Firefighting & Emergency Medical Services Pathway program, you not only are immediately eligible for employment, but you are a highly trained and qualified professional,” he said.
Other agencies participating in the program include the Georgia Department of Education CTAE Division and the Clayton County Board of Commissioners.
“It is a wonderful example of our desire to build robust, lasting relationships with not only the government of Clayton County but with other governments, local and regional, to secure the best possible career opportunities for all young people in Clayton’s communities,” Beasley said.
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