ELLISVILLE – Jasper County sophomore and junior high school students recently toured Jones College’s Jasper County Center in Bay Springs with the intention of discovering their future career paths. While some students are ready to execute their educational plans to land their dream job, most need some inspiration and exposure to possible opportunities. Students had the chance to meet the instructors and current students, as well as get in the driver’s seat of a tractor trailer used to train future commercial truck drivers. Heidelberg’s RaiShunda Smith even learned what it felt like to shift gears with CDL instructor, Lee Balliet guiding her through the process.
“That was really cool! There are a lot of gears on that truck which was kind of fun getting to see how it’s done and being able to really practice in the parking lot,” said Smith.
Students also learned about the expanded Precision Manufacturing and Machining program, the Lineman Academy and the Practical Nursing program, which were all recently added to the Bay Springs campus.
“We want to be able to offer our residents the training and education they are seeking, and the industry is demanding. If there’s a necessity for more practical nursing classes offered at different times or with modified schedules, we’ll find a way to make it happen,” said Jasper County Center Director, Grant Crowder. “We’re excited to be able to expand our programs and provide more possible avenues for our residents to be successful.”
Other programs offered at the Jasper County Center include adult education, computer training, commercial truck driving, basic life support/CPR and EMS training, welding, and basic academic courses like Western Civilization and Psychology. For more information about the Jasper County Center, call Navigator Sonya Ready at 601-477-5473 or 601-764-9393 or email, sonya.ready@jcjc.edu. More information can be found on the website, https://www.jcjc.edu/workforce/locations/jasper-campus/
