​The HSHT students in Pickens county will participate in Driver Permit training through a grant provided to the Georgia Committee's HSHT program by State Farm.  On 9-20-2019, the first session of Driver Permit Training was held at Pickens County High School.   There will be 7 one-hour weekly training sessions. Students will be transported to the Department of Driver Services to sit for the permit test at the end of the training.  Nathans Driving school is providing the instruction. Three representatives from the local State Farm office attended and introduced themselves to the students and they plan to do a short presentation at the end of the training about insurance with State Farm and how safe driving impacts cost of insurance.

​Nine students from the Pickens County HSHT program participated in the first session.  They watched a video on Joshua’s Law and the driver education course.  They were given Driver’s Permit manuals and the instructor began pointing out different rules of the road as they related to the Joshua’s Law video.  Students were engaged and were able to answer questions about material covered during the training hour.  All plan to return next week for session 2 of the training.

Students toured Steeda Industries in Valdosta GA.  Upon arrival students were greeted by the Marketing Manager at Steeda.  He explained operations at Steeda, and why they exist.  He shared that he started in an entry level position 20 plus years ago and that he worked hard to climb the ladder of positions at Steeda.  He explained that if you want to succeed you can’t look for instant success but should plan to work hard to reach your goals.  Students were taken on a tour of the operations, where they saw every part being made to make the Mustang a super-fast vehicle.  Students could assist in spray coating one of the parts, and finally a teacher rode in one of the Mustangs.  Students asked questions about employment while in high school and were provided info on Steeda’s student work-study program.

Portal HS participated in a tour of the Bulloch Co Fire Dept and Statesboro EMS.  Students learned about careers in both emergency response in their local area.  Upon arrival at the fire dept students were introduced to the various career positions within the fire dept., which ranged from fire fighters to inspectors, to administrative personnel and the Chief of the Station.  Students learned about each position, their roles, and experience, qualifications, and education required to work in each position.  The staff shared info about both full and part-time positions and pay and benefits.  They encouraged students to apply while in college at GSU, as several students only work the weekend shift as fire fighters and earn pay while in college, and also having the opportunity to read and study as long as the stationed isn’t called out for an emergency.

After leaving the fire station, students walked next door for a tour of the Emergency Medical Services station.  Staff explained the difference in their positions, and how to start as an EMT and work your way up to a Paramedic.  They shared the education and experience necessary for both positions, as well as pay.  Students had an opportunity to sit in the back of an ambulance and see how EMTs operate when they have a patient.  Students were also encouraged by the staff to go to the local technical school to have an opportunity to hear, firsthand, about the educational requirements to become an EMT.

Students from Quitman County High School participated in 2 tours. The first one was the Tyson plant located in Eufaula.  The plant manager, Shawn Goodson met with the students. We went to the conference room where we saw a presentation about statistics for Tyson and their expectations for employees.  One statistic he gave was that Tyson produces enough nuggets for 8 million kids’ meals per day.Mr. Goodson told the students how he started his career right out of High School working on the line and worked his way up. He stated that Tyson rewards someone who does their job well and is always trying to improve. We went into the plant where students observed how chicken nuggets are made. It was very clean and cold. The workers wore long white coats and all hair was covered.

Students then went to Wallace Community College.  Students were greeted by Ms. Mary Wiggins, Recruiter. We toured the various administrative offices of the campus as well as academic and technical programs. We saw the Criminal Justice program, Welding, Cosmetology and HVAC. The students learned that they could receive a certificate in 6 months, certification in 1 year or an Associates degree in 2 years. We also learned that any associates degree would transfer to any 4 year college.
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A Career Fair was held on March 21, 2019 at the Whitfield County Career Academy from 9AM to11AM for High School High Tech 63 high school students from the following high schools:

Ridgeland High School - Walker County
LaFayette High School - Walker County
Southeast High School - Whitfield County
Northwest High School - Whitfield County
Coahulla High School - Whitfield County
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A presentation was given by Ms. Jacqueline Brown, HR Generalist from McKee Bakery.  She talked with the students about the importance of good soft skills when looking for and obtaining a job.  She shared about her own experiences in 42 years of working for McKee Bakery.  Information was shared about the High School High Tech program and an award was presented to Emily Phillips with Walmart as a result of Walmart’s generous donation of $1500 for the Career Fair. 

Twenty different employers from the Whitfield County area had tables for the students to visit.  Employers were from skilled labor trades and displayed “tools of the trade” at their tables for students to see and experience. 

Twenty-nine door prizes were awarded to students who entered a drawing after having visited and talked with all employers. Students learned about job openings and about the qualifications sought by employers.  They learned about how to apply for various jobs.

The High School High Tech students from Shaw, Northside, Hardaway, Spencer, Jordan, Kendrick, and Carver attended a transition fair at Columbus State University. Students arrived on buses or with their parents to participate at the transition fair which included 69 organizations representing different specialties including autism, day rehabilitation, education, employment, employment organizations, job skills, medical, recreation, and support services. Students were served pizza, cookies, candy, and drinks at the fair. The Georgia Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities gratefully acknowledges the Walmart Foundation for its generous support of this event.

Students from across Georgia recently attended the first annual Emmanuel College/Georgia High School High Tech Agriculture Camp. The camp was held the week of July 16-20 on the campus of Emmanuel College along with tour stops across Northeast Georgia. The purpose of the camp was to introduce 11th and 12 grade students to careers in Agriculture, college life and after school opportunities.

The students participating in the Columbia County and Burke County High School High Tech Program toured Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Georgia on October 31.  The students were given a tour of the facility and a presentation on nuclear energy by the Plant Vogtle staff.  They were also given information about careers in nuclear energy as well as expectations of employers.  The tour was very interactive with students asking a lot of questions about nuclear energy and career opportunities. ​

​The Fitzgerald High School students toured Albany State University Campus.  The ASU student ambassadors gave the tour of the campus.  They discussed programs and student life, along with the admissions process and disability assistance programs.  The students then received lunch from Asahi Express.

We are excited to announce that the Georgia High School High Tech Program has been selected as a Zero Project Innovative Practice for 2017.  The Georgia High School High Tech Program was nominated for this recognition by our partners at AMAC. This year, 260 innovative solutions concerning Employment, Work and Vocational Education and Training were nominated by the Zero Project’s network of experts from around the world. Out of these, 68 Innovative Practices and  Policies have been selected as the most outstanding.The Zero Project supports decision-makers and opinion leaders in their efforts to implement the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) worldwide.  This is the final result of a multi-state selection process where a multitude of experts from around the world participated and voted.  

The Zero Project focuses on the rights of persons with disabilities globally.  It provides a platform where the most innovative and effective solutions to problems that persons with disabilities face, are shared.  It's sole objective is to assist in creating a world without barriers.

The Georgia High School High Tech program is honored to have been selected as an Innovative Practice for 2017 by Zero Project.  ​

The Augusta Area High School  High Tech Program hosted a College Fair and Resource Day on November 2 to give the High School High Tech students an opportunity to talk individually with post-secondary institutions, community partners, and local employers.  There were over 280 High School High Tech students that attended and participated in this event from Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie, Burke and Curtis Baptist school systems. There was a presentation from Georgia Futures on financial aid available to assist students who want to attend post-secondary education.  This event gives the students an opportunity to start making decisions and plans for their futures after graduation from high school.  ​

On October 25, 2016 High School High Tech students from Stephens County High School and Barrow County school system toured McLane Southeast and received a presentation on career opportunities, employment expectations, and a tour of the facility.  The students also visited Athens Technical College and were given presentations by staff in  Admissions, Financial Aide and Disability Services.  The students also toured the campus so they could see all the types of programs that are offered at this campus.   

The Muscogee County High School High Tech program hosted a High School High Tech Rally at Columbus State University on October 7, 2016.  There were over 120 High School High Tech students from the Muscogee county school system that attended and participated in this transition activity.  The students attended training sessions on Knowledge Beyond the Classroom, Self-Advocacy Training, Disability Awareness, and Making New Connections.  The students received a lot of great information in one day at this event on job readiness, self-advocacy, Vocational Rehabilitation services and disability awareness.  Partners that assisted with this rally were Muscogee County school staff, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation counselor, Columbus State University staff and Georgia High School High Tech staff.  Paula Dukes with the Muscogee County school system coordinated this event. 

On September 22, the Dublin Area High School High Tech program hosted a Motivational Training Event to Kick-Off the beginning of another highly successful school year for HSHT students from:  Dublin City, West and East Laurens, Dodge, and Bleckley County school systems.  The keynote speaker, Eddie Slowikowski, encouraged students to cultivate positive change by discovering their purpose, igniting their passion, recognizing that it takes hard work to reach your goals, and becoming the best version of yourself.  Students also had an opportunity to learn about various careers in their local communities from a panel of volunteers currently enjoying successful careers in medicine, management, law enforcement, and music.  A senior and current HSHT student gave a presentation and encouraged the group to take advantage of the many experiences provided by HSHT, such as job shadowing, college tours, resume development, completing a job application, and industry tours.  She believes that these experiences will help her to graduate high school, attend post-secondary education, and successfully reach her goal as a Pre-School Teacher.  Sandi Dixon and the Dublin Vocational Rehabilitation Office coordinated the informative and motivational event.

The Augusta Area High School High Tech program hosted a High School High Tech (HSHT) Motivational Event on September 21.  There were over 250 High School High Tech students from Richmond, Burke, Columbia, McDuffie, Wilkes and Curtis Baptist that attended and participated in the event.  A speaker from Easter Seals gave the students a presentation to assist them with becoming more prepared for employment. The keynote speaker was Eddie Slowikowski and he encouraged students to cultivate positive change by discovering their purpose, igniting their passion, recognizing that it takes hard work to reach your goals, and becoming the best version of yourself.  This event encourages the students to participate in the transition activities that will be coordinated throughout the year to assist them with being more prepared for their transition after high school.

The Glynn County High School High Tech students met for their Motivational Kick-Off Training Tuesday, September 20. The Georgia High School High Tech program provides transition activities for students with all types of disabilities to help prepare them for post-secondary education and employment. The guest speaker for the Kick Off event was Grayson Marshall Jr, “Do Positive, Just Because”. He spoke to students about the 5 keys to living the life you have always wanted from his recently published book. The High School High Tech Program is currently offered to juniors and seniors in Glynn County school system at Brunswick High School, Glynn Academy, and Morningstar Academy.

Appling County High School, High School High Tech students, toured Coastal Pines Technical College in Jesup, GA and Baxley, GA on May 3, 2016. Students were able to meet with instructors to gain information about the courses offered.  Several students are interested in pursuing their education at Coastal Pines Technical College.  Within the group, there were students that were End of Pathway Completers in Welding, Healthcare Science and Early Childhood Education.  Thank you HSHT for your support in getting students educated on the opportunities they have in post-secondary education.