Jones County High School’s College and Career Academy launched its inaugural week-long BASF Summer Tech Academy, providing students with hands-on technical experience in fields such as engineering, aviation, information technology, programming, robotics, welding, and more through daily lessons in employability skills, interactive activities, and local industry tours.
The high school partnered with BASF and Central Georgia Technical College, whose sponsorships made this learning opportunity possible for eleven high school students.
Work-Based Learning and Youth Apprenticeship Program Coordinator Lori Varnadoe reflected on the week, calling it truly inspiring and emphasizing how the program’s real-world experiences helped students connect classroom learning to future careers.
“Over the course of the week, students enhanced their employability skills, participated in hands-on activities, and toured leading facilities, including BASF in McIntyre, Qarbon Aerospace, Fouts Brothers in Milledgeville, the Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center, and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) in Warner Robins,” she said.
She noted that these visits showcased cuttingedge industries and allowed students to envision themselves in those roles.
“These experiences offered students valuable exposure to a variety of career paths and meaningful interactions with professionals across industries. We’re incredibly thankful for the strong partnerships the Jones County College and Career Academy has within our community, helping students explore opportunities and make informed decisions about their futures through internships and real-world connections,” she said.
Industry partners played a vital role in the success of the BASF Summer Tech Academy, offering support and inspiration to students exploring future career paths. Many representatives highlighted the value of programs like this one and commended Jones County students for their proactive approach to preparing for life after high school.
Career Advisor Chris Orrison from Central Georgia Technical College emphasized the importance of early career exploration and praised the student participants’ initiative.
“These students are already putting themselves in a position for success in their future endeavors. They are taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity, making connections and relationships that will serve them well moving forward,” he said.
Julie Lawson, Safety and Training Manager at Fouts Brothers, expressed her admiration for the program and the students involved. Fouts Brothers is a Georgia-based company known for manufacturing and shipping firetrucks and other specialty vehicles worldwide. The company has a strong presence in the region and continues to grow, offering a variety of career opportunities in areas such as welding, assembly, logistics, and safety.
“I am so excited and so impressed by what I am seeing,” Lawson said.
She also shared her excitement about launching a Work-Based Learning program at Fouts Brothers, which will give Jones County High School students the chance to gain real-world experience in the manufacturing industry.
BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, played a leading role in launching and sponsoring the summer program. The company operates three locations in Georgia and is deeply invested in workforce development and creating career pathways for young people in the state. Its support of the academy reflects a strong commitment to building a local talent pipeline.
Kris Towers, Manufacturing Director at BASF, explained what the company does and how the summer program came to life. He shared that BASF supports the local economy by processing kaolin clay. The company uses heat and chemicals to transform the clay into a catalyst that is essential in refining crude oil. These catalysts are sold to oil refineries, where they help break down crude oil into fuels and other usable components.
“I saw in my internal communications that one of our sister sites was doing this program, and I thought that was a great idea. Let’s see what we can do. I got on the phone with Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Varnadoe, and we all agreed that this is what we need for Jones County,” Towers said.
Towers emphasized his personal investment in the Jones County community, sharing how deeply connected he is to the area and how much he values the success of local students.
“I live right across the street. All three of my kids graduated from Jones County. I want to ensure that the students here are well prepared to enter the future workforce. From working in the county, I get comments all the time about Work-Based Learning students in Jones County, and those kids absolutely have it together,” he said.
He also recognized the students’ dedication and the support of their families.
“You did not have to get up early in the morning and go do these things, but you did. You made the conscious choice to do that. I got to know you all a bit yesterday, and I can say, parents, you have some great kids. You should be very proud. We appreciate you for allowing your students to participate in this program. We think it is very valuable for them,” he said.
Towers concluded by explaining why programs like this are not only beneficial for students but also essential for local industries like BASF.
“It is definitely valuable for us from an industry standpoint. For us in particular, we are looking for mechanics, electricians, instrument technicians, and more. One of the students mentioned that they want to be a chemist. We actually have a chemist on staff. Any engineering and science discipline, we are interested in attracting those kinds of people. We have jobs that students can get into right after high school. We have an aging workforce that is aging out now, and we are looking for fresh insight from young people coming into our company,” he said.
Carson Greene, a rising senior in the Engineering Pathway, spoke about his experience in the summer program. He recalled one of his favorite moments of the week and described the opportunity as a meaningful experience for personal growth, building connections, and gaining insight into the workforce.
“We got to hear from one of the deans at CGTC, and he told all of us that although we are all following different paths and going into whatever field we decide to, we can all be successful, even if our success is not the same,” Greene said.
Carson’s mother, Jenna Greene, also shared her thoughts on the program and how it aligned with her son’s interests.
“I thought the program was really insightful, providing students with different Work-Based Learning opportunities and letting them learn about all the different avenues to explore with engineering, especially with Carson being into engineering, chemistry, and computer science. I think it is a great program,” she said.
His father, Corey Greene, expressed his appreciation for the opportunities the program offered students.
“I just think it’s awesome to see these kids get this opportunity. Me and my wife had to fight our own way into finding our careers and paths, and it is just a treasure for these students to have this opportunity,” he said.
Computer Science and Programming Teacher Scarlett Scoville said the program was just as valuable for educators as it was for students. She appreciated the opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world applications.
“Even as a teacher, I think I was geeking out for the students. I really enjoyed getting to go to industries in the area and seeing how I can make connections to what we do in the classroom,” she said.
CCA Executive Director and CEO Lisa Collins closed the week by thanking everyone who contributed to the success of the program. She emphasized the importance of exposing students to a wide range of career opportunities, hands-on activities, and real-world skills.
Collins also explained why this program is not only effective but especially meaningful because it is being led and supported by the Jones County community.
“I have been in this space for over 35 years. I am from a rural community in upstate New York, more rural than Jones County. Before I came to Jones, I came from a county in Georgia with five high schools, five middle schools, and an overall larger district. From my experience, I can truly say Jones County High School is a diamond in the rough,” she said.
She explained that despite her experience in larger systems, what she has witnessed in Jones County stands out in a powerful way.
“What we have here is truly special, and I feel the power of partnership is what is key. You can have all the money in the world and be rich in dollars, but still not hit the mark of what we are doing here,” she said.
