GAINESVILLE - Lanier Charter Career Academy is revving up for a new school year. A new Workforce Development Academy launches this semester with the kickoff of the school year.
The Academy is focusing on the development of strong employability skills in high school students by concentrating on 11 skills including the topics of teambuilding, leadership, communication, professionalism, time management, and other areas identified by local employers as needed traits in the workforce. The DRIVE program is the backbone of the Academy and stands for Developing Resources and InValuable Experiences.
Students enrolled in the Workforce Development Academy will take a mandatory DRIVE class that introduces all of the soft skills to the students. Students will then complete a personalized career pathway that features internships, apprenticeships, and dual enrollment college courses while continuing to complete high school academics. Each personalized career path (called a Roadmap) will be planned with the student and will look at the student's interests, abilities, and future plans for the student's best options for college and career success.
The DRIVE program is based upon a curriulum model which combines academic and career-focused learning. All classes will use authentic learning and hands-on experiences to reinforce the skills needed to be successful in the workforce. Through the business operations available on campus which includes a coffee shop, full-service restaurant, conference center, promotional design lab, and a specialty gift shop students will gain strong customer service skills and entrepreneurial abilities. A new business opening the fall is The Reflections Salon and Day Spa will offer additional options for training. Students are working with local non-profits to design and host community service events to grow a stronger sense of civic consciousness. Students will be developing leadership skills through the addition of teambuilding activities in the school's greenspace.
The DRIVE program is available to students enrolled full time at Lanier Charter Career Academy as a high school student. Students enrolled in a GED preparation program that is available on the campus will also participate in the DRIVE program. On August 13th a student orientation and open house session was held from 10 am to 1pm featuring race cars and sports cars from Moss Robertson and Lanier Technical College. Business partners, student organizations, and other community services hosted booths in the Student Center at LCCA on the 13th to get everyone's engine started and on the road to future success!
Students successfully completing the DRIVE program will be certified by the Georgia Department of Labor as a GeorgiaBEST graduate. Students will have a portfolio to show potential employers including a resume, cover letter, references, and current examples of the student's authentic work from the Academy. Financial literacy education will be an integral part of the program with students gaining skills in personal finance, banking, money management, and budgeting.
Businesses and community leaders interested in partnering with the Workforce Development Academy can contact Rachael McClain, LCCA Workforce Development Coordinator, at rachael.mcclain@hallco.org or 770-531-2330 ext. 216.
