Governor Brian Kemp Visits Appling County to award our $3 Million Regional Career Academy

We were extremely excited for Governor Brian Kemp to visit Appling County to formally congratulate us on being awarded a $3 Million Dollar Regional College and Career Academy!  “This Regional CCA will promote student opportunities for careers and at the same time spur economic development in 5 counties; Appling, Wayne, Jeff Davis, Bacon and Pierce.  This will make us the largest Regional College and Career Academy in the state of Georgia and it will be located in Rural, South Georgia, reported Dr. Scarlett Miles-Copeland!”
Our original work force journey began with Appling County School District over two years ago with 25 businesses meeting at Captain Joes of 25 businesses and industries in Appling County along with our Development Authority and Chamber of Commerce.  The purpose of this meeting was to discuss business and industry in Appling County and have a deeper conversation regarding how the school system could assist them with these efforts.  After reflecting on these conversations, we met individually with businesses and industries to discuss specifically how we could assist them in meeting their needs by building a work force pipeline with our students.  These businesses included R. B. Pump, Beasley Timber, Woody Folsom Automotive, Interfor, Lawter, Plant Hatch, J. M. Miles Construction, Studio 8, and Dixie Builders.  We also formed a Steering Committee of business leaders, the school system, Coastal Pines, and our Development Authority.  
Once the business needs were examined, Dr. Copeland met with her Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council and posed the question, “How many of you plan on returning to Appling County when you graduate high school or college?”  Astonishingly, only three out of 25 students raised their hands to return to their hometown!  The problem was not a desire to return to Appling County, but simply students did not think opportunities were available in careers to return.  Appling County High School’s administration was instrumental in creating means to further expose our students to career opportunities.  The following was implemented for students at ACHS: Career Fairs, student tours of business/industry, job shadowing, job announcements through ACHS Public Broadcasting Network, resume preparation, and mock interviews.
Also, we are grateful for a strong triangulation between our School District, Coastal Pines, and businesses to custom build programs that satisfied both our industry needs and produce work force ready students with proper skills needed for business.  These original programs were reflective of the businesses we originally partnered with in Appling County.  A portion of the programs were housed at Coastal Pines and some were housed at ACHS for students.  
Appling County School District then applied for the College and Career Academy Grant last year and was chosen to present in Atlanta before the Technical College System of Georgia.  We then broadened our approach to a regional effort.  The regional idea was promoted and supported by our 5 county Economic Developers, Superintendents, and South East Coastal Partners.  
A Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) was also conducted to determine business needs for all 5 counties involved.  As a result, we will build the Regional College and Career Academy in Appling County at Coastal Pines Technical College and will include the following programs: Industrial Systems, Construction, Plumbing, Masonry, Electrical Construction, Welding, Automotive, Nursing, Forestry, Drone Technology, and Computer Programing.  Opportunities to tweak or expand programs will be an option based on potential new industry coming into our region as well.  
We are also extremely thankful for Governor Brian Kemps support of our Regional College and Career Academy and their impact on economic development in rural, South Georgia.  We also greatly appreciate the support of Senator Blake Tillery, Representative Steven Meeks, and Representative Greg Morris.  All of these efforts will assist Rural South Georgia in creating an educated, highly skilled 21st century workforce needed in business and industry.