CAREER, TECHNICAL AND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
October 25, 2012
The Bibb County Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Advisory
Board met on Tuesday, October 25, 2012, at 12:30 p.m. in Room 1030 at Hutchings
Career Center.
Dr. Joyner welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Bill Chambless as
the new Chairperson for the committee. Mr. Chambless called the meeting to order at
12:34 p.m. Informational packets which included agendas, May 10, 2012 meeting
minutes, industry assessment surveys, and GeorgiaBEST (business ethics student
training) were distributed.
The following members were present: Allyson Aldrich (Retired Counselor/Early
Childhood Education Instructor), Vonnie Angelo (BOE/Youth Apprenticeship), Jan
Baggarly (UGA Cooperative Extension), Charles Baima (BOE/CTAE Supervisor), Bill
Chambless (GA Associated General Contractors), Kevin Floyd (Macon State College),
Sam Henderson (Mayor’s Office), Dr. Amy Holloway (Central Georgia Technical
College), Lonnicia Jackson (Miller-Motte Technical College), Dr. Sharon Joyner
(BOE/CTAE Director), Becky Lee (Central Georgia Technical College), Judy McCallum
(BOE/CTAE Budget Coordinator), Meredith Rosser (GEICO), Shermesa Saffold
(BOE/Career Coach Supervisor), Terry Schindler (Macon Economic Development
Commission), Dr. Cassandra Washington (BOE/CTAE Supervisor), Cassandra
Williams (Medical Center of Central Georgia), and M. J. Salter (Miller-Motte Technical
College).
Mr. Chambless asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the last
advisory meeting held on May 10, 2012. Sam Henderson made the motion and
Meredith Rosser made a second. The minutes were unanimously approved by the
committee.
Charles Baima, CTAE Supervisor, shared the progress of CTAE programs in
Bibb obtaining Industry Certification. Industry Certification defined means that a
program has received a stamp of excellence, which represents the apex of program
quality. Programs which have already achieved this distinction include: Marketing,
Construction, Graphics, Broadcast Video, Culinary, and some Business & Computer
Science (BCS) programs. This year Automotive, Agriculture, Healthcare, and our other
BCS programs are working to achieve this recognition. Hutchings and Westside are
working to recertify their BCS programs this year.
The next items on the agenda were Industry Survey and GeorgiaBEST presented
by Dr. Joyner. She explained that one of the activities of the BCS industry certification
process was to survey local industry regarding their labor and workforce needs in
business fields. She thanked board member Terry Schwindler for her assistance in
sending the survey to chamber members and area businesses, and she also thanked
Dr. Washington for leading the project. Results showed that the majority of local
businesses use Microsoft Office 2010, and the type of job entrance test most often
used is a computer literacy test. Bibb is implementing the MicroSoft IT Academy this
year to increase students’ computer skills. Survey results indicate that skills in
communication, teamwork and professionalism are extremely important for success in
local businesses. To address this issue, Bibb is piloting the GeorgiaBEST program to
enhance students’ soft skills. Dr. Joyner also discussed the handout for GeorgiaBEST
with members and asked for their feedback. Dr. Holloway indicated that GeorgiaBEST
has some similarities to the ethics program used in technical colleges and has
additional components that will be useful to students. Mr. Rosser recommended
implementing GeorgiaBEST in all CTAE classes as soon as the pilot has been
completed.
Dr. Cassandra Washington, CTAE Supervisor, discussed the Microsoft IT
Academy. In early September, the Georgia Department of Education announced
collaboration with Microsoft to offer the Microsoft Academy Program statewide. This
collaboration will provide students with real-world technology skills which will allow
them to compete and thrive in the emerging economy and technology-savvy workforce.
By working together with Microsoft, Georgia’s high schools will have access to
classroom lab licensing (Office 2010), learning content on-line, lesson plans, teacher
resources, professional development, and class projects. In addition, students can
earn industry credentials that are globally recognized in the business world. Georgia
is the 6th state in the US to broadly roll out this program.
Dr. Washington also discussed Mock Interviews. She stated that 400 students
took part in mock job interviews at various high schools in Bibb last year. Mock
interview fairs give students the opportunity to meet with industry people within the
community and experience a 15 – 20 minutes mock interview. The students complete
instructional activities in their CTAE courses for a week, and the interview process is
the culminating activity. This interview fair gives students a chance to experience a
part of what the real world workforce is like and receive valuable feedback from
business professionals. They come prepared with a completed job application,
resume, and cover letter. She asked for volunteers for upcoming interviews that will
take place this school year.
Vonnie Angelo, Youth Apprenticeship (YAP) Coordinator, discussed Dual
Enrollment, and CTAE Student of the Year plans. Mrs. Angelo works with all 7 high
schools in Bibb placing juniors and seniors in apprenticeship positions and dual
enrollment classes through Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC). She currently
has 3 programs in place: Pharmacy Tech & Customer Service taught at Hutchings
Career Center, and 1 class at CGTC, Aircraft Structural. There are also 13 YAP
students working for the Bibb County School District Technology Department one
block each day. Furthermore, meetings have begun regarding hiring additional Youth
Apprenticeship students at Robins Air Force Base. Each school will choose one CTAE
student to compete for the 2nd Annual Bibb County CTAE Student of the Year (SOTY).
Monetary scholarships and gift cards will be awarded. An awards reception will be
held at Hutchings Career Center for the students and their families to announce the
winner. Advisory board members will have an opportunity to serve on the selection
panel.
Shermesa Saffold, Career Coach Supervisor, gave an overview of the new Career
Coach Program in Bibb. This program is a collaborative effort between the Bibb
County School District and the Macon-Bibb County Workforce Investment Board, Inc.
Because of this partnership, a part-time Career Coach is in place at each of Bibb’s 7
high schools. As an extension to what teachers, counselors and other personnel are
doing, Career Coaches are offering career development services to high school
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students and fostering a smooth transition to higher levels of education and the
emerging workforce.
Becky Lee, CGTC VP of Economic Development, introduced Dr. Amy Holloway,
VP of Academic Affairs at CGTC. Dr. Holloway was very excited to present information
regarding the merger of Middle Georgia Technical College (MGTC) and Central Georgia
Technical College (CGTC). She explained that the merger has been discussed for
many years and that she thought that it was finally the perfect time for the merger to
take place. Dr. Ivan Allen was asked to step in as President of both colleges. The
merger will reduce administrative costs as the two colleges will share resources. The
schools are located only 30 miles apart. These are among many reasons the merger
made perfect sense at this time. The estimated beginning enrollment for both schools
is 10,000 students.
Dr. Joyner thanked Dr. Holloway for the update and for providing dual
enrollment opportunities for Bibb’s students to earn college credit while in high
school. The meeting was paused briefly while everyone enjoyed a meal prepared by
Hutchings Culinary Instructor, Chef Raymond Garrison, and his culinary students.
The culinary students and Chef Garrison were given the opportunity to introduce
themselves to the advisory board. They were all thanked for the delicious meal before
the meeting continued.
Dr. Joyner then talked about major changes that would take place in the next
few years in CTAE. The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) is currently
modifying CTAE pathways and curriculum. Pathways will be grouped according to the
16 federal clusters, and Georgia is adding a 17th cluster for Energy. She stated that
the advisory board members would later be asked to provide input on which pathways
should be offered in Bibb. Furthermore, Bibb has a strategic plan which includes a
portfolio of schools beginning as early as fall of 2014. Advisory board members will
also have input as to which pathways should be grouped together and offered in a
particular school according to the school’s focus.
Dr. Joyner presented a plaque to Mr. Meredith Rosser, GEICO Human
Resources Director. Mr. Rosser has served on our CTAE Advisory Board for several
years. He has also encouraged his staff to become involved in our schools, and as a
result, GEICO representatives are on the advisory boards of all 7 high schools. GEICO
is one of the sponsors of our Girls Auto Know Camp and provides automobile safety
training for the young ladies as well as financial support for the camp. He has
provided employment information to our students, arranged for students to job
shadow at GEICO, and much more. For all of these reasons, Meredith Rosser was
recognized as our Business Partner of the Year.
Dr. Joyner then shared that she would be retiring the end of November, after 35
years in education. She expressed how much she appreciates her association with
members of the Advisory Board and their contributions to our CTAE programs and
students. The board will meet again in May at which time the members will be asked
to review the proposed CTAE FY2014 local plan.
Just before the meeting adjournment, Mr. Chambless presented Dr. Joyner
with a plaque from the board for her leadership and dedication. Members were
thanked for their attendance and input at today’s meeting. The meeting was
adjourned by Mr. Chambless at 1:40 p.m.
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