In early Spring 2021, the US Department of Labor awarded a consortium of Georgia’s technical colleges with a Strengthening Community College (SCC) Grant. The project in Georgia is titled: “The Future is Now,” and since 2021 has focused on three primary changes within the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).
First, the grant has facilitated the creation of a full-scale and robust digital badging ecosystem aligned with TCSG course learning objectives and industry recognized micro-credentials. In 2023, students began receiving digital badges and micro-credentials for courses and programs spanning technical education degree programs, adult education programs, and continuing education courses.
Second, the grant has improved the learning experiences of students across the state by integrating virtual reality training and other advanced learning environments for courses in three main sectors: healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology.
Third, the grant aims to strengthen partnerships with employers throughout Georgia via industry-sponsored apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships.
Taken together, these initiatives prepare our students as workforce ready job candidates in high-demand fields. From micro-credentials and visualized learning pathways to cutting-edge technology and training, the SCC Grant is helping the Technical College System of Georgia to deliver the future of technical education to today’s students.