Several Coweta County business partners and representatives from the Central Educational Center were among the participants at the Aug. 14 the Georgia Consortium for Advanced Technical Training Program (GA CATT) ceremony held in Atlanta.
Coweta’s eight industry participants, the Central Educational Center and the Coweta County Development Authority were the pioneers of the innovative program when it was launched in 2016, and the manufacturers were the first participating industries in the program, said Coweta County School System spokesman Dean Jackson.
Coweta County’s Central Educational Center and eight Coweta County manufacturers — Winpak, E.G.O. North America, Yamaha, Grenzebach, Kason, Groov-Pin, Yokogawa and KCMA — participated in a signing ceremony for the Georgia Consortium for Advanced Technical Training Program in Atlanta on Aug. 14. Pictured, from left, are Coweta County Development Authority Greg Wright, Central Educational Center CEO Mark Whitlock and development authority Existing Industries Manager Amanda Fields. Photo/Submitted.
“They are eight of the 15 Georgia manufacturing companies who will sign apprenticeship agreements with the second cohort of GA CATT apprentices,” said Jackson.
Beginning in the 10th grade, high school students have the opportunity to complete their education by combining traditional high school classes, college-level technical courses and paid apprenticeship modules, Jackson said.
“GA CATT addresses the workforce needs of companies and the challenges they face when finding a skilled workforce. The three-year program combines on-the-job training and educational post-secondary learning for various industrial professions, signaling a brighter future for our students who want to pursue meaningful careers well ahead of the traditional education timeline,” said Jackson.
Stefanie Jehlitschka, President of German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern US Inc., joined Lt. Governor Cagle and Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Gretchen Corbin in hosting this special event to recognize the importance of workforce development through the GA CATT apprentice program, the first of its kind for high school students in the United States, said Jackson.
Jackson said Coweta County’s Central Educational Center in Newnan will continue its existing partnerships with Winpak, E.G.O. North America, Yamaha, Grenzebach, Kason, Groov-Pin, Yokogawa and KCMA.
The GA CATT program is the nation’s first high school German apprenticeship program, recognized by the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., Inc.
