Program Continues with 19 Residents Earning Industry-Recognized Certifications
(Contributed from the Georgia Department of Corrections)
FORSYTH, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) hosted its second ceremony recognizing the graduating class of the Fleet Services Automotive Academy program. Nineteen residents from Macon Transitional Center (TC) received certificates for successfully completing automotive industry programs in either Auto Collision Paint and Body (I-Car), or Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair (ALMR) through a partnership with Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC).
“The Automotive Academy program is successful because there are countless individuals involved who are committed to ensuring these residents accomplish their goals, and we are especially thankful for our partnership with Central Georgia Technical College for their ongoing commitment to ensuring the success of this incredible program,” said Commissioner Oliver. “Today marks a turning point for these men as they take the skills they have learned and use them to become productive citizens upon release.”
The Automotive Academy offers specialized training, credentials, and educational support, and includes a six-month Maintenance and Light Repair program, which teaches diagnostics, service, and vehicle maintenance, with participants earning 20 credit hours from CGTC. The 18-month I-Car program teaches skills in autobody paint and collision repair, and participants in this program painted and/or repaired more than 129 vehicles in the last year alone. Each of the successful graduates completed work in the classroom, along with work in the lab, paint booth, and garage, relative to their specialty. After completing their required curriculum, the residents in the program continued to sharpen their skills and earned on-the-job training hours.
In addition to providing offenders with more opportunities for success, the Automotive Academy has become a professional, fully functional automotive paint and body shop, allowing cost avoidance associated with vehicle repairs for the GDC totaling close to $2 million.
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