Page 16 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 4 - Fall 2022
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IN GEORGIA ARE TEACHING AT LEAST ONE FORESTRY PATHWAY
component to the agriculture education program,” said Hughes. “Across the state we have eight different career develop- ment events that students can partici- pate in the forestry-laden industry. From forestry Career Development Events, which is a four-man team, to forestry field day (which most of you are familiar with), that’s either a 10-or 11-man team. Land judging, ENR, wildlife agriculture mechanics, equipment operations and all of the Leadership Development Events out there such as the sales, event speaking and job interviews.”
Education efforts don’t stop after high school — with 22 colleges and 88 campuses in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), students across the state have access to local secondary education opportunities with advanced programs in forestry and agriculture, and more young people are starting to take notice, according to Greg Dozier, commissioner of TCSG.
“When you look at our student, our average student is 26 years old. Why is that important? Just a few years ago, the average age of our student was 36 years,” said Dozier. “Twenty-six is a big reduction. And part of that is truly the counselors in the high school. It’s young people realizing the value of a skill.”
With more and more young people becoming involved in forestry education, hopes are growing that the labor shortage won’t only be resolved for now, but put behind us for good with a consistent pipeline of young, enthusiastic forestry professionals entering the workforce.
JOHN CASEY IS A STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT WITH A PRIMARY FOCUS ON JOURNALISM, POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY.
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