A partnership between Georgia Northwestern Technical College and Floyd County Prison is helping offenders prepare for life after incarceration through education and workforce training.
On May 29, GNTC and Floyd County Prison held a graduation ceremony recognizing 24 educational achievements earned by offenders participating in the program. Fourteen offenders earned their High School Equivalency (HSE), five completed a Certificate of Completion in Shielded Metal Arc and Flux Core Welding, and five received their Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
The ceremony highlighted the role education and job training can play in helping individuals build a successful future following their release.
Guest speaker Steven Roebuck, who once served nearly seven years at Floyd County Prison during two separate incarcerations, shared his personal story of transformation with graduates.
“You now hold keys to opportunities that you didn’t have before—keys to better jobs, keys to better living, keys to a better future. The possibilities are now endless,” Roebuck told the graduates.
Today, Roebuck serves as the prison’s chaplain, holds four state professional licenses, and works as the Water and Sewer Maintenance Supervisor for the City of Cave Spring.
“Our past can only hold us back if we allow it,” he said.
Roebuck encouraged graduates to take advantage of the opportunities their new credentials provide and strive for a better future for themselves and their families.
The partnership between GNTC and Floyd County Prison has offered a variety of educational opportunities over the years, including CDL training, welding instruction, High School Equivalency preparation, and basic business and computer skills courses. The programs are designed to help offenders gain marketable skills before reentering the workforce.
The initiative aligns with efforts by Governor Brian Kemp’s administration to improve reentry outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals. Recent state initiatives have focused on reducing barriers to employment and helping former offenders obtain identification and documentation of training completed while incarcerated.
Judith Gilmer, a correctional officer at Floyd County Prison who delivered both the welcome and closing remarks during the ceremony, encouraged graduates to continue pursuing education long after graduation.
“Learning is a never-ending sequence of events and does not stop because you graduated today,” Gilmer said. “Whatever you want out of life, you now know that you can achieve it through the same hard work that you used to earn your certificates.”
Gilmer also challenged graduates to share their knowledge and encourage others who may face similar obstacles.
Funding for the latest CDL and welding training cohorts was provided through a grant from Truist Bank.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College serves northwest Georgia through a variety of workforce education programs, including associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, adult education, continuing education, and industry training. Over the past year, more than 14,000 individuals benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs, with the college reporting a 100 percent placement rate for graduates entering the workforce.
Officials say the partnership demonstrates how education and career training can provide a pathway toward productive employment and successful reintegration into society.
