Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) maintains a strong presence in Chattooga County—providing Adult Education, Driver’s Education and Dual Enrollment classes to serve area residents.

“Our partnership with GNTC has grown and continues to grow,” said Blake Elsberry, sole commissioner of Chattooga County. “Whether it be in the field of healthcare or in one of the many other career fields that GNTC provides training for, Chattooga County and GNTC continue to build on our strong partnership.”

“We are always looking at ways to do more in the counties GNTC serves in the areas of adult education, economic development and technical education,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president. “Chattooga County has been a great partner and understands the value of education. Within each division of the college, I have asked how we might grow our partnerships. In some instances, it is simply communicating what we are currently offering and exploring ways to become more visible within a community.” 

Adult Learning Center

The Chattooga Adult Education Center offers GED® (General Educational Development) and HiSet® (High School Equivalency Test) classes Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The facility is located at 152 Senior Drive, Summerville.

“The center helps with basic skills and knowledge to help individuals qualify for jobs requiring a high school equivalency,” said Lisa Shaw, vice president of Adult Education at GNTC. We also offer Training on the Go, which allows students to obtain an industry-recognized credential. These opportunities are aligned with local workforce development plans and with input from industry partners to best serve the workforce needs of the community.”

The center also works with the local Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop program in cases of plant closings, layoffs or other situations when residents need support services to get back in the workforce, she said.

“Chattooga’s Adult Learning Center has been here for a number of years and has helped countless individuals obtain their GED® diploma,” Shaw said. “Many of our students have been laid off from jobs or are just looking for a brighter educational future. We are always working towards increasing our enrollment. We will also continue to provide quality instruction and workforce preparation training to help our community the best we can.”

Derrick McDaniel, instructional coordinator for Adult Education at GNTC, supervises the Chattooga Adult Learning Center. Jacob (Blake) Edgeman is the student service assistant, and Ginger Nelms is the Adult Education Student Success coach.

"We are always welcoming new students,” Edgeman said. “Our goal is to help as many students as possible." 

“We also offer online learning programs and flexible hours for students who are currently in the workforce or have other responsibilities,” Shaw said.  

The biggest challenge the program faces is public awareness of the location and class offerings, Shaw said.

“Our program is also supported by the Chattooga Literacy Council, which has provided supplies, student testing fees and recognition events for our students over the years,” Shaw said.  

Dual Enrollment

Georgia’s Dual Enrollment program allows qualified high school students in GNTC’s nine-county service area to maximize their education and career training by taking courses that earn college and high school credit at the same time for free. Degree-level core classes will transfer to any institution in the University System of Georgia (USG) or the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Degree-level core courses also count toward HOPE Scholarship rigor requirements.

Chattooga High School and Trion High School have been offering general education classes through GNTC’s Dual Enrollment program to their students for several years, said Kristi Hart, director of High School Initiatives at GNTC. Approximately 230 high school students took Dual Enrollment courses between the two high schools during the current academic year.

Students can participate as early as grade 10 for Career Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) courses, and students in grades 11 and 12 can take any college course that is included in the state-approved course directory, Hart said. Highly-motivated students who are willing to take more than 12 credit hours per semester and to attend classes in fall, spring and summer terms until they graduate from high school can earn an associate degree or diploma from GNTC while pursuing their high school diploma.

“Dual Enrollment in Chattooga County has been a great benefit to many of our students at both (Trion City and Chattooga County) school systems for many years, Elsberry said.

Hart said GNTC plans to discuss further how the college can grow the partnership with Chattooga officials and educators to increase students’ opportunities and provide in-demand skills instruction and training.

Economic Development

Over the years, GNTC’s Office of Economic Development has provided education opportunities in Chattooga County covering many topics including computer skills, leadership and Driver’s Education, said Patty Hart, director of Economic Development at GNTC.

The most in-demand class is Driver’s Education, which is available to anyone who is at least 15 years of age and has a valid Learner’s Permit. Joshua’s Law requires all 16- and 17-year-olds applying for a Class D driver’s license to complete an approved driver education course, Patty Hart explained. Driver’s Education is offered at the Chattooga High School Academic Enrichment Center (AEC).

GNTC began offering Driver’s Education in 2016, said Angela Berch, vice president of Economic Development of GNTC. The class meets at the AEC, and driving appointments are scheduled for pick-up and drop-off at Chattooga High School.

“Some high schools offer the Driver’s Education class, but not all do,” Hart said. “GNTC offers classes at several of our campuses for students who did not take it at their school or whose high schools did not offer it.”

In Fiscal Year 2023, 168 students completed the Driver’s Education program at GNTC, Hart said.

GNTC has also partnered in the past with local industry, Berch said. She is touring Chattooga County industry on May 9 as a guest of Cindy Rivers McGraw, Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce executive director.

Customer Service classes are ongoing at the Adult Learning Center, Berch said.

Future Growth

Elsberry said plans are underway to potentially offer more healthcare programs in Chattooga County.

Over the past two years, Elsberry has spoken with the Chattooga County and Trion City school systems, the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center at Mercer University, GNTC and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) about possibly bringing more healthcare programs of study to Chattooga County, he said.

“That expansion will increase the career opportunities for the youth of our county,” Elsberry said.

“In Chattooga County, we are looking at ways to increase GNTC’s technical education programs, specifically in the area of healthcare,” Popham said. “Additionally, we have incredible partnerships with Chattooga and Trion high schools in the area of dual enrollment and are always open to expanding the program, especially in the high-demand careers areas.”