Adult Education

The goal of the Adult Education program is to help adults of all ages acquire skills that will make them more successful in the workplace and in college. Adult education offers participants a stepping stone to brighter futures through classes that prepare them to earn a GED and/or transition to college or the workforce. The college offers these free basic and secondary-level instruction for adults at locations in the following counties: Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Hart, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Taliaferro, Walton, and Wilkes. The college provides classes in the following areas:

• Basic or remedial reading and math.
• Academic subjects at the secondary level to provide preparation for the Tests of General Educational Development (GED).
• English as a Second Language for members of the international community.
• Career training and job placement.
• Tech Prep: Accuplacer test preparation.

The GED test is a four-subject high school equivalency test that measures skills required by high schools and requested by colleges and employers. The four subjects are Science, Social Studies, Mathematical Reasoning, and Reasoning Through Language Arts. The tests enable people who did not graduate from high school to demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge and skills usually associated with the completion of a four-year high school program.

The college offers free GED preparation classes at adult education centers in all service area counties. The college conducts GED testing sessions at the main campus of Athens Technical College in Athens and at its campuses in Elbert County, Greene County, and Walton County. GED testing sessions are also offered at locations in Hart and Wilkes counties on a scheduled basis.

The Adult Education staff conducts workplace education classes for employees of area businesses and industries, either on site or at other convenient locations. Classes may include instruction in basic or advanced reading and math, GED preparation, the English Proficiency Program for Speakers of Other Languages, or specific academic skills needed for employment.

Information on adult education classes and GED testing sessions are available from the college's Adult Education Office, which is located in Building I, Suite 402, on the Athens Campus. The telephone number is (706) 583-2551. Information is also available on the college website.

Accelerating Opportunities

The Accelerating Opportunities initiative combines accelerated career training and job placement with personalized educational support. By offering students the chance to work on their GEDs while taking college courses, AO-Athens is rethinking traditional adult education by removing barriers that prevent adults from entering and completing their education. The program is committed to helping adults get the training and skills they need today to get the jobs they want tomorrow.

Accelerating Opportunities-Athens requires a two-step application process:

• Phase One requires students to attend an initiation orientation where they will learn about selected pathways and GED requirements. They will also be assessed on their entry education level. Prospective AO students must score a minimum of 6.9 on the TABE assessment.
• Phase Two requires qualified applicants to meet with advisors/success coaches to begin the college admissions process.

Bridge to Success

Bridge to Success is an Adult Education career training and job placement program for out-of-school youth ages 18-24. The program links students to career opportunities with local employers. Eligible students can enter with or without a high school diploma. 

Funded by the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission, the mission of Bridge to Success is to provide young people direct career training and job placement. After an intensive two week work readiness course, at the end of which they will receive a GA Best Certification, students will enter career training classes at Athens Technical College. Upon receiving a Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC), Bridge to Success will assist students to find meaningful and gainful “on-the-job” training opportunities, through paid internships. Bridge to Success also provides GED instruction, employability and work readiness classes, and ongoing job placement assistance.  Qualified students will receive full tuition assistance, travel reimbursement, and stipends for completing their GED (if applicable).

The Bridge to Success program is offering career training in Air Conditioning Technology, Automotive Collision Repair, Commercial Truck Driving, Diesel Truck Maintenance, Healthcare Access Representative, Machine Tool Technology, Manufacturing Operations, and Welding Technology. The classes are based at the Athens Technical College Elbert County Campus, Walton County Campus, and Main Campus; although, the program will serve people within the College’s 10-county area in Northeast Georgia.