• We have dedicated stakeholders who made themselves available for our Virtual Ready to Work Job Fair because they recognized the students' need for a plan after graduation.
• We have engaged students who continued to go to work as essential employees
• We have a district which supports its coordinators to ensure the programs remain in operation and strong.

Internship Bibb/Work-Based Learning hosted a Parent Information Night February 27, 2020. Information about the requirements and procedures for participating in Work-Based Learning was shared. Parents and students who attended learned of the economic impact Work-Based Learning has on our community. The team shared information about companies that are partnering with Bibb County School District through CTAE and the Work-Based Learning program. Local industry is looking to grow their own workforce and understand that our students are the best way to find those employees. We are also preparing students for the future workforce. Two students, JaWaun Jordan-senior at Westside HS, and Hikeem Woodford-senior at Northeast HS, currently participating in the program, shared their experiences and plans for their future. They discussed the jobs they are doing now and how they are preparing for their future. Jordan completed the Certified Nursing Assistant Program through Hutchings College & Career Academy and is employed at Zebulon Park Health & Rehab. He wants to continue his education in the medical field. Woodford completed the business pathway and is employed at GEICO. His intentions are to apply for a full-time position at GEICO once he graduates.

The Bibb County School District (BCSD) and Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) department are dedicated to the support of our students as they transition from school to real-world. Whether students seek college or career opportunities, we strive to provide quality learning experiences and program options that will ensure all students are fully prepared to succeed in an increasingly competitive global workforce. One component of BCSD's Strategic Plan is: Connecting with Students, Connecting with Parents and Connecting with the Community. Your involvement with our school system helps to ensure that we are maximizing all opportunities to strengthen our local job market and provide the critical first step in a student’s successful future. You can view a recording of the event at https://youtu.be/D-i_xrhQPpk

Work-Based Learning Coordinators, Pamela Sales (Rutland HS, Feb 11) and Shawana Davis (Central HS. Feb 25) partnered with Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority's, Eleyce Coleman, Existing Industries Manager. Collectively, hosted at each high school, they assembled two very successful events bringing industry to the students. Each event was an informative session where the employer shared the story of their company's business and hiring practices. Employers in attendance were: Yancey Bros., Amazon, Irving Consumer Products, Volumatic and Sheridan Construction. Central GA Technical College was also on hand to share how to apply for the programs they offer that would ready a candidate for the positions. Students were given the opportunity to touch products and materials, interact with, and ask questions of the employers. The students left with a much better understanding of the opportunities available in Macon-Bibb County. Additionally, some of the employers took resumes of seniors at the event.

Eleyce Coleman was awarded the Rutland High School Advisory Board Member of the Year at the Spring Advisory meeting on March 10, 2020. Mrs. Coleman is employed at the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority as the Existing Industry Manager and has been instrumental in connecting Rutland High School CTAE programs with local industries. She has arranged field trips and employers to speak to our students in addition to having a willingness to help arrange employment positions for Work-Based Learning students.

Jessica Lewis, Northeast High School’s CTAE Marketing Advisory Board Member and owner of Mobu Enterprises, serves as a SCORE Mentor. SCORE is a 501c nonprofit organization. SCORE Mentors are experienced business professionals who volunteer their time to help others start and grow their own businesses. Ms. Lewis currently is mentoring six marketing students who are budding entrepreneurs. She has created a 12-week course that was designed to assist the students in bringing their entrepreneurial ideas to fruition via business plans and other resources provided by SCORE. When student entrepreneurs return to school in the Fall, each will be paired with a SCORE Mentor to help develop their individual business plans. They will learn how to fully register their businesses, along with how to create bylaws. In addition, each student entrepreneur will receive lifelong free mentoring to assist in sustaining their businesses. These marketing students are being prepared for a great future!

Two Youth Apprenticeship students were selected to represent their schools as the

CTAE Student of the Year.

Samerica Malcon - Senior, Westside High School

Samerica has been a student in Youth Apprenticeship for two years. She is employed with Bibb County School District's Procurement office. Her pathway is Business & Technology and she is a member of FBLA.

Jalyia Howard - Senior, W.S. Hutchings College & Career Academy

Jalyia is a Culinary pathway completer and is employed at Idle Hour Country Club. She has been a Youth Apprenticeship student for two years. She is a member of FCCLA and is a second year Hutchings student.