Governor Kemp and TCSG Announce New Georgia College & Career Academy in Walker County

12/8/2023

Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) approved a grant totaling more than $3 million to establish a new College & Career Academy in Walker County during yesterday’s TCSG board meeting. Named Walker Launch, this project is the result of a partnership between Walker County Schools and Georgia Northwestern Technical College, and it will serve Walker and Dade County students.

“To maintain our status as the No. 1 state for business, it’s crucial we support our valued and robust workforce,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Walker Launch will help prepare students for new opportunities while connecting them with the jobs of tomorrow, and I appreciate all those who worked on bringing this project to fruition.”

The new College & Career Academy is being made possible through a grant comprised of $3 million in bonds and an additional cash amount of $100,000. This funding will provide essential resources to build and support a state-of-the-art learning environment, equipped to prepare students for the challenges of the modern workforce. With the addition of Walker Launch, the number of College & Career Academies in Georgia rises to 58, marking a significant milestone in the state’s educational landscape.

“This new Georgia College & Career Academy symbolizes our unwavering dedication to providing our students with exceptional learning experiences that blend academic excellence with real-world skills,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “Our focus remains steadfast on equipping students with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to thrive in a competitive global economy.”

Georgia’s College & Career Academies collaborate with over 3,000 business partners. These partnerships ensure that the curriculum and training provided are closely aligned with industry needs, enhancing both employability and skill sets for graduates.

To learn more about Georgia’s College & Career Academies, visit www.tcsg.edu/gcca.

Congratulation to Ms. Cayla Pemberton on being awarded the 2023 GOAL Award from GNTC!

Thank you Autozone!

Our automotive students are off to a great start this year in Mr. Troy Peco’s class. We are thankful to him for his quality instruction to prepare our students for work. We are grateful to Mr. Jason Stansbury of Auto Zone for his generosity in providing our students with some automotive tools.

First Ever CDL Certificates Earned

Jacob Shaw and Samuel Dickson, both seniors from Ridgeland High School, were the first two students to complete the Commercial Truck Driving certificates. Students must be 18 years old to qualify for registration in these classes. Congratulations to Jake and Sam!

SkillsUSA National Signing Day

Congratulations to Mr. Garrett Rollins! Garrett participated in SkillsUSA National Signing Day. He competed in the SkillsUSA welding competition in December. Garrett will graduate from LaFayette High School on May 27 with his high school diploma and four welding certificates. He has participated in Walker LAUNCH for two years. He is currently employed by Metro Boiler. Garrett also has a lawn care business and plans to become a travel welder.