The First Responders Academy is here!

Northwest Georgia College & Career Academy introduces the First Responders Firefighting Pathway.

Firefighting will prepare students, upon graduation, for entry-level careers and post-secondary education in the field of Public Service. 

This course trains the recruit for a career in fire service using methods designed to enhance cognitive skills through hands-on practicals and classroom learning. It will provide the recruit with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform safely and effectively throughout their career. This course focuses on an intense hands-on approach to all aspects of firefighting and scene safety. Special emphasis will be placed on the skills necessary to achieve a successful career with the Whitfield County Fire Department.
 

You could be a professional firefighter by the time you graduate high school!

Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 Certifications

This course, along with the prerequisite courses, is designed to meet the requirements of NFPA® 1001, Fire Fighter I. After completing this course, the student will be able to sit for the exam to certify as a Firefighter I per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®) 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications. This course is also based on the Basic Firefighting Training Program from the GA Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC). GPSTC has teacher-trainer resources (including skill sheets for those that are required) and recommended text. The prerequisites for this course are Introduction to Law, Public Safety Corrections and Security, and Essentials of Fire and Emergency Services.

The Applications of Firefighting course requires strenuous physical activity. Students, parents, and school officials are encouraged to review and discuss the physical requirements prior to the student’s enrollment in the course. Schools may choose to recommend that a student obtain a sports physical prior to the start of course activities. Components of this course require a student to be eighteen years of age for participation and completion of that component.

Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

Students interested in a career in Transportation Logistical Support (Automotive) will receive instruction in safety procedures, OSHA, and EPA issues. Students will demonstrate the correct use of tools, equipment, and instruments and describe shop organization, management and workflow systems. Courses will help students build a strong scientific knowledge base and develop skills related to vehicle chassis systems and vehicle engine performance. Students will master academic standards as identified by NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation) and, through project-based learning and leadership development activities, will be prepared to be competitive in the transportation logistics marketplace.

In 2021, the Automotive program at the Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy achieved Industry Certification Status through NATEF and Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification. The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) was founded to develop, encourage, and improve automotive technician education. NATEF examines the structure and resources of training programs and evaluates them against nationally accepted standards of quality. NATEF's precise national standards reflect the skills that students must master. The NATEF evaluation process ensures that accredited training programs meet or exceed industry-recognized, uniform standards of excellence. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was established by the automotive industry to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive repair technicians. An automotive repair technician that is ASE certified means that they have gone through an extensive amount of training. To become ASE-certified, individuals must pass an ASE test and have at least two years of relevant full-time, hands-on work experience in the motor vehicle service industry. Training in a NATEF certified automotive program may be substituted for one year of work experience.

Pathway Sequence

General Automotive Technology Pathway Sequence

47.45000  Automotive Technologies 1

47.45100   Automotive Technologies 2

47.45200  Automotive Technologies 3

47.43400   Automobile Service Tech 4 

Culinary Arts Pathway

The Culinary Arts pathway prepares students for employment in a wide spectrum of food industry careers, including (but not limited to) food production and services, food science, dietetics, nutrition, hospitality, and tourism. Courses in this pathway include the development of skills in such areas as career planning, food safety and sanitation, accident and injury prevention, kitchen basics, operating and maintaining commercial utensils and equipment, preparation of commercial food items, the art of service, controlling costs, food management functions, and customer relations.

Culinary Arts Pathway

20.53100   Introduction to Culinary Arts

20.53210   Culinary Arts I

20.53310   Culinary Arts II

Welcome to the world of healthcare curriculum where High School students can excel and begin their journey toward higher education.  Students will have the opportunity to obtain a Health Information Management/Medical Office certification in Healthcare Hospitality as well as the phlebotomy technician certification upon completion of all required components.  Topics covered include employability skills, careers, terminology, equipment, patient confidentiality, and patient rights.    

Allied Health and Medicine Pathway Sequence

• Introduction to Healthcare Science
• Essentials of Healthcare
• Allied Health and Medicine

Medical Office Pathway Sequence

• Introduction to Healthcare Science
• Essentials of Healthcare
• Health Information Management / Medical Office

Diagnostic Phlebotomy Pathway Sequence

• Introduction to Healthcare Science
• Essentials of Healthcare
• Diagnostics Phlebotomy

Information Technology

This course is designed for high school students to understand, communicate, and adapt to a digital world as it impacts their personal life, society, and the business world. Exposure to foundational knowledge in programming languages, software development, app creation, and user interfacing applications are all taught in a computer lab with hands-on activities and project-focused tasks. 

Students will not only understand the concepts but apply their knowledge to situations and defend their actions, decisions, and/or choices through the knowledge and skills acquired in this course. Employability skills are integrated into activities, tasks, and projects throughout the course standards to demonstrate the skills required by business and industry. Competencies in the co-curricular student organizations are integral components of both the employability skills standards and content standards for this course. Various forms of technologies will be highlighted to expose students to the emerging technologies impacting the digital world. Professional communication skills and practices, problem solving, ethical and legal issues, and the impact of effective presentation skills are taught in this course as a foundational knowledge to prepare students to be college and career ready. The knowledge and skills taught in this course build upon each other to form a comprehensive introduction to the digital world.

INTERNET OF THINGS PATHWAY SEQUENCE

• Introduction to Software Technology
• Computer Science Principles
• Embedded Computing

LAW, PUBLIC SAFETY, CORRECTIONS AND SECURITY

The Law and Justice pathway begins with a study of various careers in public safety. The pathway explores the history and development of law enforcement in the United States. Students examine the components of the criminal justice system, including the roles and responsibilities of the police, courts, and corrections. Additionally, students learn the classification and elements of crimes. Students receive instruction in critical skill areas including communicating with diverse groups, conflict resolution, the use of force continuum, report writing, operation of police and emergency equipment, and courtroom testimony. Students explore the rights of citizens guaranteed by the United States and Georgia constitutions. Students also evaluate the powers granted to the police and the restrictions placed upon them by the respective constitutions and their amendments. Specific topics of discussion include search and seizure, arrests, interviews, interrogations, and confessions in the context of criminal prosecution. Students learn the importance of the identification, collection, and processing of evidence and of its contribution to the criminal investigation.

Law Enforcement Services / Forensic Science Pathway Sequence

• 43.45000 Introduction to Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security
• 43.45100 Criminal Investigations
• 43.45200 Forensic Science & Criminal Investigations

Corrections Services Pathway Sequence

• 43.45000 Introduction to Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security
• 43.45100 Criminal Justice Essentials
• 43.45700 Applications of Corrections

Foundations of Manufacturing and Materials Science is the introductory course for the Manufacturing career pathway. This course provides students with opportunities to become familiar with related careers and develop fundamental technological literacy as they learn about the history, systems, and processes of manufacturing. Students analyze various production methodologies, material properties, and manufacturing systems while developing hands-on skills in technical drawing, CAD, and both manual and computer-controlled manufacturing processes. The course emphasizes workplace safety, including hazard recognition, proper safety protocols, and quality control principles. Students also explore the relationship between manufacturing, society, and the environment while developing foundational knowledge of manufacturing systems and materials science.  

Pathway Sequence:

• 21.44100  Foundations of Manufacturing & Materials Science

• 21.44500  Robotics and Automated Systems

• 21.44400  Production Enterprises