Trenton Walmer, a Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) Academy student, has become the second student to complete the new Dual Achievement Program (DAP). By transferring in previous high school credit and completing two college certificates in Barbering, Walmer has now earned a recognized high school diploma from CGTC

“I feel more secure in life after earning my high school diploma,” said Walmer. “This gives me a lot more job opportunities, especially in barbering, which is what I studied at CGTC. Going to school every day was hard for me so to be able to advance more quickly through the Academy was great. I could focus on the subjects that are important to me and my career.”

The DAP Pathway, which is part of the CGTC Academy, is a new program available within the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) allowing students ages 16-21 to earn an accredited Georgia high school diploma through dual credit programming. Students can transfer into the program after completing at least 6 units of credit from a traditional high school. CGTC is one of five TCSG institutions to offer DAP, and the first to award diplomas to graduates.

To earn the high school diploma, students must complete college coursework for two technical certificates of credit, a diploma, or an associate’s degree, and finalize any needed remaining high school credits through the CGTC Academy. The Academy, which also encompasses the Career Plus High School equivalency pathway for students 21 and up, was accredited by COGNIA in June 2022.

“Trenton has the foundational skills now to go out there and hold his own against other barbers,” said Leon Towles, program chair for Barbering at CGTC. “It was exciting watching Trenton get inspired by different things in the classroom. He’s very passionate now about working for himself, and I know he has the education that he needs to be successful doing so.”

Both CGTC Academy pathways include the opportunity for enrolled students to combine high school courses and college-level coursework for an accredited high school diploma, or equivalency, while also earning college credentials for quick entry into the workforce.

To find out more, visit www.centralgatech.edu/cgtc-academy.