Partnership between Spalding County and SCTC reaping benefits for the community

GRIFFIN — Spalding County Deputy County Manager Erica Dye and Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) President Dr. Irvin T. Clark, III, signed Memorandums of Understanding Apr.

15 for Spalding County government to have three apprenticeships in the Public Service Apprenticeship Program (PSAP). Spalding County was selected through a competitive application process to participate as an employer in the Technical College System of Georgia’s PSAP. Spalding County’s first three apprentices are county firefighters.



Two will take the EMT Certification program, and the third will enroll in Paramedics School. Dye stated that the signing marks a pivotal moment in the community’s journey toward prospering education, skilled development, and economic growth. “This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to provide opportunities for our fire department to gain hands-on experience, and to prepare them for more success,” she said.

“Through this apprenticeship program, we are not only investing in the future of the county, but also in the future for local industry. “By bridging the gap between education and employment, we are ensuring that our workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market.” PSAP was authorized by Georgia Senate Bill 497 and signed into law last year by Gov.

Brian Kemp. PSAP provides contract awards to public service employers (like Spalding County) in Georgia to encourage the creation and expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) across the state. RAP is an employer-led workforce development model designed to provide employers with additional support to train skilled workers and meet growing workforce needs.

RAPs serve as valuable investments into local workforce as they combine real work experience with classroom learning, all while providing a paid job to apprentices. Employers can receive awards of up to $5,000 per apprentice for up to 10 apprentices. Furthermore, registered apprentices not only benefit from acquiring and mastering high-demand skills, but also tend to achieve higher wages, and more upward mobility within their employer and industry.

Currently, Georgia has more than 10,000 active apprentices in Registered Apprenticeship Programs. A number of county staff, SCTC personnel, as well as county and state leaders attended and spoke at the signing ceremony held at Southern Crescent. Dr.

Clark said the ceremony was a chance to celebrate the opportunity for the firefighters who SCTC is supporting in the Registered Apprenticeship Program. “This is critically important as our first responders are so important to economic workforce development,” said Clark, “because you are the ones who are on the front line when people’s lives are at stake and you have responded to those situations. “This is just the beginning,” added Clark.

“We will continue to have apprenticeship programs that support Spalding County government, whether it is through EMT’s or through future resources or fiber technology or water quality technicians, or some form of advanced training. We are very appreciative of the partnership we have with this county government.” Greg Dozier, commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), stated that Georgia receives federal dollars through TCSG for apprenticeships in training, but that none of the federal funding has actually helped employers.

He said that is where Georgia stepped in to help. “Three years ago, it began in the State Senate, went to the State House, and the governor signed in support of it, a d the General Assembly took $1.25 million of state funding from the budget to really show the support and the need for this apprenticeship.

It has been widely successful and has helped the employers hiring. It has helped with the mentorship that’s required, the paperwork and the real detailed part that Southern Crescent and our other 21 schools provide support for. “Initially though, it wasn’t open to government services,” noted Dozier.

“We realized, especially in our allied health areas, our paramedics, EMT’s and police, those are all important areas that were struggling with their workforce. Areas that are vital to our communities. So through the governor and the General Assembly, it was expanded to where government services can use that money.

” State Rep. Karen Mathias said it is a proud moment for Griffin and Spalding County. “Coming from Griffin, I am so proud of the relationship that we’ve built,” she said.

“Dr. Clark has a vision and he doesn’t let go. I am extremely proud of what we’re producing here.

This is such a huge investment, not just for Griffin and Spalding, but for the whole state.” Spalding County Commission Chair Clay Davis said the apprenticeship program can change the way people think about continuing their education. “They thin, ‘maybe I can get the apprenticeship, go back to school and do this and step forward in life,’ ” he said.

“It is a generational change and it is important for us to do these things. “Commissioner Dozier and Dr. Clark and Rep.

Mathiak make these things happen for us, but at the grass roots level, when somebody is hurt, when somebody needs help in the worst time of their life, somebody comes to help them,” added Davis. “If you’re the person laying on the ground, or your loved one is laying on the ground, you get real serious about how important it is to have first responders with medical training.”.