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Georgia Launches ForestryWorks® Program to Enhance Student Employment Opportunities

In a significant move to bolster career preparation for high school students, the Georgia Forestry Foundation (GFF) has rolled out the ForestryWorks® of Georgia program, aiming to equip students with essential skills and industry-recognized certifications in forestry. This initiative has garnered the approval of the Georgia Department of Education and is set to significantly influence the largest sectors of the state’s economy: forestry.

Program Overview

The ForestryWorks of Georgia program offers two core components: a career-ready Forestry Certification and a free End of Pathway Assessment (EOPA). The program covers six pathways within the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources career cluster, which span areas such as Forestry Management Systems, Forest Mechanical Systems, and Renewable Energy among others. This diverse range ensures tailored education that aligns with current industry demands.

Kaitlyn Marchant, who leads agriculture education at the Georgia Department of Education, emphasizes the program’s importance, stating, "Providing industry-recognized exams helps validate student learning and opens doors to high-paying, meaningful careers in Georgia's forestry industry.” This commitment underscores the initiative's focus on enhancing the educational landscape to produce a skilled workforce ready for immediate employment.

Educational and Environmental Benefits

The mission of the GFF has always intertwined education with environmental stewardship. By partnering with various industry leaders and academic institutions, GFF aims to foster an engaging educational environment where every Georgia high school student can learn the impacts of forestry on daily life and explore various career paths within this critical field.

Matt Hestad, Senior Vice President at GFF, notes, "This unique educational resource provides engaging opportunities for every Georgia high-school student to learn about forestry's significant impact on our everyday lives while exploring the many career paths available in this critical natural resources sector." Such programs not only support individual career aspirations but also contribute to the sustainable development of the forestry sector in Georgia.

Maggie Pope, Director of Education at ForestryWorks, shares her excitement about the new curriculum: "We are thrilled to deliver a curriculum that utilizes Georgia-based examples and aligns directly with Georgia's six forestry-related CTAE pathways under the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster.” This localized approach ensures that students are learning in a context that is relevant to their communities.

Certification and Support

One of the standout features of the ForestryWorks of Georgia program is the Forest Worker Certification, a credential widely recognized within Georgia's forestry industry. This certification ensures that students are equipped with modern assessment tools that validate their learning outcomes and prepare them for the workforce.

Participating schools in the program will also benefit from a fully virtual testing platform, which facilitates student certification management and provides necessary resources for teachers to effectively support their students’ learning journeys. This structured support system signifies a forward-thinking approach to education in forestry, ensuring that students receive the highest quality of teaching and resources available.

Conclusion

Through initiatives like the ForestryWorks of Georgia, the future looks bright for students interested in pursuing careers in forestry. With the right skills and certifications, these individuals can enter one of the most vital industries in Georgia, ready to make a positive impact on the economy and the environment. The collaboration between GFF and the forestry sector not only strengthens the job market but also ensures the sustainable management of Georgia's valuable forest resources. For more details about this initiative, interested individuals can visit the official ForestryWorks of Georgia website.

About the Georgia Forestry Foundation

The Georgia Forestry Foundation was established in 1990 and serves as the educational arm of the Georgia Forestry Association. It focuses on sustaining Georgia's forests through leadership development, policy studies, and educational programs that enhance the economic and community value of working forests. To learn more about GFF, please visit www.gfagrow.org.

About ForestryWorks®

ForestryWorks is a workforce development initiative established to build a pipeline of skilled workers for the forestry industry. The organization partners with various forestry associations and educational bodies to tailor workforce programming that meets the specific needs of forestry sectors in different regions. For more information, please visit www.ForestryWorks.com.