The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce QuEST (Quality Education Strategy Team) is a business-education initiative that brings business professionals, educators and students together. The program seeks to ensure that students in our area are prepared for the job market of the future by creating an employable workforce, bringing work place relevance to education and enhancing future opportunities for students and businesses.
The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Youth Apprenticeship Dinner was held in March to recognize the students and companies participating in the program. Over 200 guests attended the recognition program sponsored by Georgia Power Company, Jackson EMC and the Northeast Georgia Medical Center. To date over 250 apprentices have served in the areas of manufacturing, healthcare, utilities, education, the legal field and more. The Northeast Georgia Medical Center has the largest number of students involved in workbase learning programs.
Lisa Jarrard, Customer Service Supervisor at Georgia Power Company, is QuEST Council Chairman. “Students involved in apprenticeships are given the opportunity to learn more than a job or a skill,” said Jarrard. “They are learning about leadership, workplace ethics, and the importance of community involvement. The program has been very successful at Georgia Power for recruiting linemen and customer service representatives after the completion of their apprenticeships.”
QuESTS’s Greater Hall Youth Apprenticeship program offers the combination of structured school and work base learning for students. This year’s program featured a special presentation to Amanda Kemp, a teacher at Centennial and former teacher apprentice. Kemp noted that her participation as an apprentice gave her the desire to become an educator.
For details on QuEST partnerships or other Chamber-sponsored education programs, contact Helen Stewart at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, 770-532-6206.