A previous version of the story incorrectly stated that students would have to take three more years of classes to complete a degree. The actual number is two semesters.
Houston County Schools announced they will be partnering with Central Georgia Technical College to get students out of their old workroom at the Houston County Career Academy and onto a college campus, where students will learn how to repair sheet metal for various aircrafts.
It will be a dual-degree program for students in grades 9-12 that will give them college credit for taking classes at the CGTC's campus.
Sabrina Phelps is the principal for the Houston County Career Academy.
“Our goal which is to grow the next career force,” said Phelps.
Houston County students in grades 9-12 enrolled in the program will be able to take shop class, aerodynamic and even a blueprint class.
After taking the classes, they will get college credit and an aerocraft assembly technical certificate.
“I got this same training when I went into the Marine Corps in 1977 and this is what I did for a living,” said the Dean of the Aerospace Program at Central Georgia technical College, Michael Engel.
Engel says the program is a win for high school students, the community, and our military.
“Especially with an employer like Robins Air Force Base looking for a skill like this, you know you’re going to at the very least have a very good career,” said Engel
Shane Hollings is studying structural repair as Central Georgia technical College.
He grew up in Houston County and he wishes he would have taken advantage of the program.
“A lot of people are hiring for this specific field. To be able to already have a head start, you're kind of jumpstarting into a pretty good career,” said Hollings.
“It's a win for our students because they get high school and college credit and for industry it's a win-win because if you don't know where to find them were growing them here,” said Phelps.
If you want to learn more about the program or want to sign up go to www.centralgatech.edu/highschool