THINC hosts annual Expeditions Signing Day
Published 9:00 am Tuesday, May 16, 2023
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Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include the student’s names and where they signed on to work.
More than a dozen THINC College & Career Academy students participated in a signing day for the school’s Expeditions program on Friday.
The students signed on for a jumpstart for a future career through youth apprenticeships with eight community businesses.
Much like an athletic-style signing day, the students signed papers for work-based learning opportunities with local businesses at THINC Academy’s sixth annual Expeditions Signing Day. The event showcases the internship-style program through THINC Academy and the Troup County School System.
“Signing Day is about an opportunity where industry connects with students, giving them the opportunity to participate in internships and partnerships, where they go into those industries, get exposed to everything they do there, make determinations of what they want to do long-term with their career and get paid while learning school credit,” THINC CEO Gerald Wyatt said.
Expeditions is a work-based learning program that connects students to careers in manufacturing, healthcare and business. The program helps students by creating meaningful career exploration opportunities, which in turn creates a sustainable workforce pipeline for local employers.
Businesses participating in Friday’s signing day include City of LaGrange Marketing and Communications, CVS Health, Kia, Callaway Athletic Department, LaGrange Athletic Department, Weiler Forestry, Wellstar Orthopedic & Sports Medicine and UrgenCare.
Wyatt said they have additional signings planned for a few other industries which were not included in the event due to end-of-the-school-year conflicts.
“We’re going to be there signing at their work locations and you’ll hear about those as well, but we’re grateful to have everyone here,” he said.
Some of the students will start working as soon as June 1, Wyatt said.
Wyatt said they are glad to be back to doing the signing day in person after doing it virtually for two years due to COVID.
“Now we’re doing it in person, and it’s a big deal,” Wyatt said. “It’s a big deal for us. It’s a big deal for students. It’s a big deal for their life and their career and exposure, and everything that we do,” Wyatt said.
Wyatt likened the event to a college signing where an athlete reveals the college they have chosen.
“It’s like an athletic signing day where students choose a college,” Wyatt said, noting at least one student had multiple job offers and signed with the company of their choice.
The following students participated in the the signing day:
