Career, Technical and Higher Education

Career Technical and Higher Education (CTHE) prepares incarcerated individuals for employment through a variety of learning opportunities which include:

 On the Job Training

These opportunities are offered in conjunction with an individual’s assigned work detail. The skills learned while performing the duties on their detail are recorded and upon completion of the designated number of hours and completion of the competency check-list the individual receives a certificate of completion from Central Georgia Technical College.

Skills Trainings

OSHA, Forklift and ServSafe certifications are available through partnership with the Technical College System of Georgia. These classes offer industry recognized certifications and open the door for various employment opportunities.

Work Ready Classes

Work Ready Classes have been developed by Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in collaboration with employers to help prepare individuals for successful employment. These classes teach skills that employers have indicated are most lacking in today’s workforce. Work Ready Classes include:

Conflict Resolution at Work, Dealing with Difficult Conversations at Work, Developing Positive Relationships at Work, Accountability and Self Confidence at Work, Effective Communication at Work, Managing Stress at Work, Personal Hygiene at Work, Understanding Employer Expectations, Financial Literacy.

Soft Skills Classes

The Technical College System of Georgia has created Professional Development classes. Incarcerated individuals have access to these classes in their facility’s Reentry Assessment Center (RAC). These classes include:

Ten Soft Skills You Need, Attention Management, Business Etiquette, Customer Service, Emotional Intelligence, Goal Setting and Getting Things Done, Job Search Skills, Telework and Telecommuting, Time Management, Workplace Diversity

Upon completion of these classes individuals receive completion certificates from the Technical College System of Georgia.

Career Technical Education (CTE)

Career Technical Education focuses on learning through hands-on practice and skill development for practical skill-based careers. These programs are taught through partnerships with local technical colleges by certified instructors. In most instances the instruction is as similar as possible, and the completion certificates are identical to what is delivered on the main campus of the technical college partner. In some cases, these completions also earn Technical Certificates of Credit (TCC) that can be counted towards degree completion upon the individual’s release from incarceration at most Technical College System of Georgia or University System of Georgia institutions. Technical College System of Georgia colleges currently providing instruction to incarcerated students: Albany Technical College, Central Georgia Technical College, North Georgia Technical College, Oconee Fall Line Technical College, and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.

CTE programs include: Automotive Technician, Barbering, Braille Transcription, Business and Customer Service, Cosmetology, Diesel Mechanics, Horticulture, Hospitality, Plumbing, Veterinary Technician, Welding

Live Works Projects, allow students to build, remodel, and repair various items owned by state, county, local government, and non-profit organizations to enhance the skills they need to become proficient in various trades.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Through partnership with various colleges and universities, incarcerated individuals can pursue credit-earning programs, including Associate and Bachelor degree programs. These programs are funded through a variety of grant opportunities as well as private funding. Current partners include:

Ashland University, Brewton-Parker College, College of Athens, Common Good Atlanta, Georgia State University, Life University. University of West Georgia

Colleges or Universities interested in becoming a Prison Education Program may complete and submit this application GDC PEP Application PDF .

“The Georgia Department of Corrections offers career and technical education programs regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or age including those with limited English proficiency.”