Building strong relationships for . . . Educators . . . . . .Students . . . and Employers

Georgia Work-Based Learning

Is a work-based learning program right for your business?

The Georgia Work-Based Learning Program assists businesses with building a highly trained, technologically sophisticated and career oriented young work force. Our goal is to assist in the creation of a strong support structure between local employers, students and schools. Work-Based Learning supplies talent to address industry workforce shortage needs. We promote an industry-driven system where employers set occupational skills standards, collaborate on curriculum, provide work experience and certify mastery of skills. Focus on the future with Georgia Work-Based Learning.

Mission and Vision

The mission of the Work-Based Learning Program is to assist in providing a highly trained, technologically sophisticated and career oriented young work force. This is accomplished by developing partnerships between business, industry, students, parents, school systems, coordinators, post-secondary institutions, and registered apprenticeships which will lead the participating student into meaningful careers.

Georgia had 19,394 students enrolled in credit bearing Work-Based Learning courses in 2017, which includes 3,219 students in Youth Apprenticeship Placements. The vision of the Work-Based Learning Program includes:

Creating a seamless transition from career oriented courses in High School to post-secondary education, credentials, and a successful career.

Opportunity for students to develop strong employability skills (soft skills) that will make them desired employees.

Application of the technical skills learned in related coursework while working in real life employment situations

August 2021
Students Get Paid While They Get Their Education

Super Lawn Technologies, a manufacturing company in middle Georgia, experiences huge success through the first ever Work Based Learning partnership with local schools. Learn how they have given energetic and smart students a chance to gain valuable work experience while getting paid.

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“Without support from the WBL coordinators who really KNOW the kids...we may not have as much success.”

Tony Bass, Founder Super Lawn Technologies

507

WBL & YAP Coordinators

26,948

2020 Students Served

9,000+

Participating Employers

$56,241,580

2020 Wages Earned by WBL Students

381

Participating Schools

Employers benefit from Work-Based Learning Programs

Our local Work Based Learning program provides sharp, professional students who are talented and eager to learn. We use WBL participants as part of our intern program and enjoy how readily they integrate with our team. It is wonderful to have this resource in our community for creating career paths that benefit small businesses with a work-ready work force to recruit locally from.

Tamara Siragusa E-Marketing Director, Cogentes

2020-21 WBL/YAP Award Winners

Work Based Learning Student of the Year
East Central Region: Anna Lorelei Culbreath, Evans High School. Coordinator: Tim Perry
Northeast Region:Ashton Hill, Madison County High School. Coordinator: Sarah Waldrop
Northwest Region:Jamez McPherson, Lithia Springs High School. Coordinator: Kimberly Isles-Towry
Southeast Region:Olivia Thrift, Ware County High School. Coordinator: Kim Callahan
Southwest Region:Madison Hardy, Cook High School. Coordinator: Jenny Pitts
West Central Region:Bailee Tracy, Harris County High School. Coordinator: Gary Johannes

Overall Work Based Learning Student of the Year:
Ashton Hill, Madison County High School, Coordinator: Sarah Waldrop

 
Youth Apprenticeship Program Completer of the Year
Northeast Region:Carlos Mendoza-Mojica, Gainesville High School. Coordinator: Helen Perry
Northwest Region:Laura Kate Wright, Dalton High School. Coordinators: Dr. Larry Tripp, Doug Shults
Southeast Region:Graci Thrift, Ware County High School. Coordinator: Kim Callahan
Southwest Region:Andrew Malone Harrell, Cook High School. Coordinator: Jenny Pitts
West Central Region:Tra’quan Jones, Northside High School. Coordinator: Sandi Couillard

Overall Youth Apprenticeship Program Completer of the Year:
Graci Thrift, Ware County High School, Coordinator: Kim Callahan

 
WBL Business Partner of the Year
Northeast Region:Kubota Manufacturing of America, Coordinator: Deana Harper
Northwest Region:Northside Hospital, Coordinator: Emily Henderson
Southeast Region:Wellman Family Healthcare, Coordinator: Susan Faulk
Southwest Region:Nichols Lures, Coordinator: Brandi Miranda
West Central Region:Kimble’s, Coordinator: Gary Johannes

Overall Work Based Learning Business Partner of the Year:
Kubota Manufacturing of America, Coordinator: Deana Harper

 
Distinguished WBL Coordinators of the Year
Cathy Ferguson, Jones County High School/College and Career Academy
Edd Saxon, Haralson County College and Career Academy
Jennifer Turner, Loganville High School
Jason Van Nus, Lowndes High School


Student Success Stories: Alyssa Wachtel

Alyssa Wachtel - Apalachee High School

Alyssa is a senior at Apalachee High School. She has completed four pathways; Correction Services, Law and Public Safety, Healthcare and Spanish. She has taken three honors courses and will graduate with honors with a GPA of 3.97.

Alyssa is doing her Work Based Learning internship at Stewart Chiropractic Clinic in Winder. At the clinic, she takes care of patient files, scans and files important documents, puts electrodes on patients for the STEM machine, takes patient vitals and does physical therapy with patients. Alyssa also works at Publix as a cashier at night and on the weekends.

After graduation, Alyssa plans to attend the University of North Georgia, pursue a degree in sonography, and become an Ultrasound Technician. During college, her goal is to work as a certified Pharmacy Technician at Publix.

More Student Success Stories

Join the over two-thousand employers in Georgia investing in the Work-Based Learning Program today.

Learn how WBL can work for your business.