4C Academy— December 7, 2023— Seven high school seniors preparing for career opportunities at the Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy (4C Academy) completed their Field Capstone Project for Excavator this Tuesday at Oxford Construction. The students started the program in the classroom at 4C where they trained on state-of-the-art heavy equipment simulators to prepare them for the Field Capstone Project which included several skills tests administered by the professionals at Oxford Construction, the Program Partner.
Steve Burton, Safety Director at the Oxford Construction program shared, “It was a great experience being a part of the capstone project with the 4C Academy. As a company, we are excited that the students are showing interest in heavy equipment operations. The students did an excellent job performing real-life tasks as equipment operators during the Capstone visit. 4C has done an outstanding job with the students and we are very excited to be a part of the program. Throughout the process, each student has shown a great attitude and a willingness to learn.”
The Heavy Equipment Operator program is relatively new in Georgia and was made possible through partnerships forged by the Georgia Highway Contractors Association, GHCA. Funding for the program and simulators was obtained though the legislature and GHCA provides annual training for instructors. GHCA members across the state participate as program partners to provide schools such as 4C with Vision Tours to job sites and provide the equipment and personnel required for students to complete their Capstone Projects. Local education partners include the 4C Academy, the Dougherty County School System and Albany Technical College.
David Moellering, President/CEO of the GHCA, shared this regarding the program at 4C, “The Heavy Equipment Operator Program provides a space for students to make lasting connections with industry partners in a way that I have never seen! Not only that, the students work hard and accomplish great things! I am always so impressed with the confidence they have when operating a piece of equipment. The students at 4C were prepared and clearly demonstrated all they have learned this semester! We look forward to continuing our partnership and are excited about the future of the program at 4C Academy.”
The students are excited about the program as well. Nick Gosier, a senior at Monroe High School and the 4C Academy shared, “The heavy equipment program is great and I really liked the challenge. We all had to earn the opportunity by completing the different modules on the simulator - nothing was given to us. We felt prepared when we stepped on the real machines. The excavator was fun to drive and was faster and smoother than the simulator - I can’t wait to get back on a real one.” Next for the students is the bulldozer module.
“This is education at its best - when the business community and educators partner to bring relevant opportunities to high school students who are ready to start their careers in high demand career.” says Chris Hatcher, CEO of the 4C Academy. “‘We appreciate GHCA for pushing this project forward at the state level and can’t thank Oxford Construction enough for making their resources available to students in our community. What a win, win, win!”
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Chris Hatcher
CEO, Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy
Ph: 229-431-1562
Email: Chris.Hatcher@4CAcademy.org
Web: 4CAcademy.org
About 4C Academy:
The mission of the Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy is to produce college and career ready graduates with relevant skills and education and exceptional work ethic who can compete and succeed in the real world. Our partners include local business and industry, the Dougherty County School System, Albany Technical College, Albany State University, the Albany/Dougherty Economic Development Commission, and the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition, we have partnered with the Calhoun, Terrell and Baker County School Systems.