A partnership between Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) and Floyd County Prison is helping incarcerated individuals prepare for successful reentry into society through education and workforce training.

During a graduation ceremony held May 29, GNTC and Floyd County Prison recognized 14 offenders who earned their High School Equivalency (HSE) diplomas, five who completed training in Shielded Metal Arc and Flux Core Welding, and five who obtained their Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Guest speaker Steven Roebuck encouraged graduates to take advantage of the opportunities their accomplishments have created.

“You now hold keys to opportunities that you didn’t have before—keys to better jobs, keys to better living, keys to a better future,” Roebuck said. “The possibilities are now endless.”

Roebuck, who previously served nearly seven years at Floyd County Prison over two separate incarcerations, now serves as the prison’s chaplain and works as the Water and Sewer Maintenance Supervisor for the City of Cave Spring. He told graduates that personal success comes through hard work and making positive choices.

“Our past can only hold us back if we allow it,” Roebuck said.

The programs are part of an ongoing collaboration between GNTC and Floyd County Prison designed to equip offenders with practical skills before their release. Previous offerings have included CDL training, welding instruction, High School Equivalency preparation, and basic business and computer skills courses.

The initiative aligns with efforts by Gov. Brian Kemp to improve offender reentry outcomes by expanding access to education, job training, identification documents, and records of completed programs.

Correctional Officer Judith Gilmer, who delivered the ceremony’s welcome and closing remarks, urged graduates to continue learning beyond the classroom.

“Learning is a never-ending sequence of events and does not stop because you graduated today,” Gilmer said. “Whatever you want out of life, you now know that you can achieve it through the same hard work that you used to earn your certificates.”

Gilmer also challenged graduates to share their knowledge and encourage others facing similar obstacles.

Funding for the welding and Class B CDL training programs was provided through a grant from Truist Bank.