Macon, Ga – William S. Hutchings College and Career Academy (HCCA), Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) and Perdue Foods Perry Cook Facility (Perdue Foods) celebrated the full-time employment of two recent graduates with a signing ceremony on Friday, October 9, at 1 p.m. The event was held at the Robert J. Williams Complex, 1780 Anthony Road in Macon.
The two graduates, James Jordan of Westside High School and Maurice Woodford of Howard High School, were among the first students to participate in the Industrial Systems Technology (IST) Pathway that launched last summer. Through the partnership between Hutchings, CGTC and Perdue Foods, Bibb and Monroe County students take classes at CGTC and earn Technical Certificates of Credit (TCCs). The partnership includes field trips, job shadowing, mentoring and guest speakers during the program. Additionally, each student who meets the requirements is guaranteed an interview with Perdue Foods upon completion of the program.
“The partnership between Bibb County School District, Central Georgia Technical College and Perdue Foods provides the skillsets for young individuals to enter our workforce and make an impact,” said John Heard, senior industrial engineer for Perdue Foods. “The Industrial Systems Technology Pathway will fill the pipeline with talented individuals to move Perdue forward for years to come. This program provides the opportunities to start a career with a company that has been going strong for 100 years and paves the way forward into our next century.”
During its first year, 16 students participated in the IST Pathway. In its second year, 20 students are enrolled in the IST Pathway with 16 of those being first-year students and 4 of those being second-year students.
Representatives from each organization were present at the signing event, as well as Macon-Bibb County Mayor-Elect Lester Miller, to speak about the importance of this partnership, which signifies the community’s commitment to ensuring students graduate high school with stackable credentials and ready to enter the workforce or college.
Due to COVID-19, the event was held outdoors under the front awning of the Robert J. Williams Complex.
Photo: James Jordan and Maurice Woodford standing with Michael Engel, dean of Aerospace, Trade and Industry at CGTC, and Antonio Shelley, Industrial Systems Technology instructor at CGTC.