“This Guy Can” Helps Local Youth Explore the Workforce

Courtesy of Toombs County Family Connection

The “This Guy Can” workforce development program concluded last week after providing middle school students with a series of four handson workshops designed to introduce a variety of career pathways. Participants from local 21st Century after-school programs attended sessions at Southeastern Technical College, gaining real-world exposure to multiple fields of study.

The program began with an introduction to Accounting, where instructor Lori Sweat guided students through the fundamentals of financial careers and business operations. Students then explored the field of Dental Hygiene with lead instructor Lori DeFore, learning about oral health careers and clinical practices. On Wednesday, they worked with Early Childhood Care and Education Instructors Mindy Sumner and Kay Wilson, gaining insight into careers working with young children and educational development. The program concluded on Thursday with a visit to the Medical Assisting program, where Instructor Erin Rollins introduced students to clinical skills, including a hands-on demonstration in phlebotomy.

Throughout each session, instructors shared information about their programs and discussed the wide range of career opportunities within each field. A central goal of the “This Guy Can” program is to expose male students to careers traditionally dominated by women, encouraging them to consider a broader range of professional opportunities.

Now in its fifth year, “This Guy Can” continues to serve as a meaningful workforce development initiative, helping students build confidence, gain real-world experience, and begin planning for their futures.

The program is made possible through a partnership with Southeastern Technical College and support from Trane, whose continued investment highlights the importance of preparing students for success in today’s workforce.

MEDICAL ASSISTING PROGRAM – Southeastern Technical College Medical Assisting Program Instructor Erin Rollins (center) leads two students in a hands-on phlebotomy demonstration.