OFTC Partners with Dodge County Schools as TCSG Approves $1.5 Million for New College & Career Academy

The State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has approved a $1.5 million grant to establish the Dodge County College & Career Academy, a collaborative partnership between Dodge County Schools and Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC). The project was approved during the August 2026 meeting of the TCSG State Board.

“When we prepare Georgians for rewarding careers beyond the classroom, we’re not only supporting their economic success, we’re strengthening the entire state,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “College and Career Academies create a direct path to jobs and opportunities for hardworking Georgians right in their own communities, and I want to congratulate Dodge County on this great milestone.”

The Dodge County College & Career Academy will expand access to high-quality career education and workforce training opportunities for students throughout the region. Through hands-on instruction, industry-recognized credentials, and dual enrollment opportunities, the Academy will prepare students for success in high-demand careers while strengthening the local workforce pipeline.

“College and Career Academies continue to demonstrate the power of collaboration between education, business, and industry,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “The Dodge County College & Career Academy will provide students with meaningful pathways to successful careers while helping employers develop the skilled workforce they need to grow. We are proud to partner with Dodge County Schools and Oconee Fall Line Technical College to make this investment in the future of the community.”

The $1.5 million grant will support the development and implementation of the Academy, helping create innovative learning environments where students can earn college credit and industry credentials before graduating from high school. Through close partnerships with regional employers, the Academy’s academic and technical programs will align with workforce demands and provide students with direct connections to employment opportunities.

“The creation of the Dodge County College & Career Academy represents an exciting investment in the future of our students and our community,” said Wade Burnette, Superintendent of Dodge County Schools. “This partnership with Oconee Fall Line Technical College will give our students greater access to career-focused education, valuable hands-on experiences, and clear pathways to college and the workforce. We appreciate the support of the TCSG State Board in helping make this vision a reality.”

“The Dodge County College & Career Academy will strengthen our long-standing partnership with Dodge County Schools while expanding opportunities for students to begin preparing for rewarding careers earlier than ever before,” said Rosemary Selby, Interim President of Oconee Fall Line Technical College. “By connecting students to college-level coursework, technical education, and local employers, we are creating a talent pipeline that will benefit students, businesses, and the entire region for years to come.”

Georgia’s College & Career Academies represent one of the nation’s most successful workforce development models, bringing together local school systems, technical colleges, and business and industry partners to ensure students graduate with the knowledge and skills needed for in-demand careers. These academies partner with more than 3,000 businesses to ensure students graduate with relevant, job-ready skills and a clear pathway to success.

To learn more about Georgia’s College & Career Academies, visit TCSG’s College & Career Academies webpage.

About the Technical College System of Georgia

The 22 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) are Georgia’s top resource for skilled workers. TCSG offers world-class training in more than 600 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs to students who are trained on state-of-the-art equipment by instructors who are experts in their fields. The system also houses Georgia’s Office of Adult Education, which promotes and provides adult literacy and education programs, including the GED® testing program, throughout the state. In addition, TCSG partners with companies through Quick Start, the nation’s top customized workforce training program, and through its individual colleges, who work with local industry to provide workforce and training solutions. For more information, visit www.TCSG.edu