Too many young people are told to “plan for the future” without clear, paid pathways to get there. While Georgia’s graduation rate has climbed to 87.2%, too many students still graduate without meaningful exposure to careers, income-earning opportunities, or real-world experience.

We know what works. Students who participate in Georgia’s Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs graduate at a rate of 98.45%—proof that when education connects to opportunity, outcomes improve.

My focus is simple: make opportunity visible, accessible, and paid.

Georgia already has building blocks like dual enrollment, career pathways, and apprenticeships. I will strengthen and modernize them so every student graduates with a plan, a pathway, and proof of skills.

Core belief:
Opportunity should be visible, accessible, and attainable for every young person.

Key Policy Priorities:

The Paid Pathways Guarantee

• Ensure every student has access to at least one paid, career-connected learning experience before graduation by expanding internships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeship programs.

• Paid experience builds confidence, income, and direction. It should not depend on family connections.

AI & Digital Readiness

• Prepare students for the digital economy by integrating practical AI literacy, cybersecurity basics, data skills, and digital workforce readiness into middle and high school career pathways.

• AI and automation are reshaping the workforce. Georgia students must be prepared—not displaced.

Skills Passport (Career Readiness Transcript)

• Establish a standardized “Skills Passport” that documents certifications, work-based learning hours, apprenticeships, and job-readiness milestones alongside academic transcripts—so students graduate with proof of what they can do.

• This levels the playing field and strengthens hiring transparency.

Modern Trades 2.0

• Modernize Career and Technical Education to align with Georgia’s high-demand and emerging industries, including:

  • Advanced manufacturing

  • Clean energy and infrastructure

  • Logistics technology

  • Healthcare careers

  • Construction and skilled trades

• Georgia’s High Demand Career framework already exists. We must ensure funding, equipment, and instruction keep pace with the industries driving our economy.

Dual Enrollment Without Barriers

• Strengthen and stabilize dual enrollment so cost, transportation, scheduling, and advising are never barriers to earning college or technical credentials while in high school.

• Dual enrollment works. Access must be equitable and sustainable statewide.

Statewide Impact

By expanding paid pathways, modernizing trades, integrating AI readiness, and removing barriers to dual enrollment, Georgia can:

• Reduce dropout risk

• Strengthen workforce competitiveness

• Address labor shortages

• Improve economic mobility

• Ensure young people graduate prepared to earn, learn, and lead

• If we want Georgia to remain competitive, we must invest in clear, paid, and future-ready pathways for our young people today.