Page 52 - Athens New Comers Guide 2023

Athens’ Classic Center
INVESTS FOR SKILLS AND GROWTH
When looking for a job, or when wanting to go
further in your career, workforce development
offered by The Classic Center in Athens is a
great place to start.
What exactly is workforce development? It is an
idea that brings together the private and public
sectors to give individuals help in starting a career
or growing in an existing one, and helps
organizations reach their goals. It is a program,
then, aimed at both employees and employers
so that both can access the necessary skills to
become the best they can be.
The Classic Center takes its name from Athens
– long known as “The Classic City.” With
performing arts, an arena, and convention space,
The Classic Center is a cultural hub for Athens.
Paul Cramer, president and CEO of The Classic
Center, has a passion for helping individuals
progress in their careers and he was the driving
force in establishing the development program.
Shannon McCullough, Vice-President for Human
Resources and Workforce Development at The
Classic Center, said “At the core we are offering
skills that can be transferred to any career the
individual ultimately chooses.”
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by Glenn Carson
The Classic Center has a special focus on
high school students. Additionally, Cramer
has championed workforce development
efforts in the hospitality industry and has
had direct influence in the establishment
of hospitality degree programs at many
institutions including Athens Technical
College and the University of Georgia. From
camps to internships to job shadowing,
students are given real world opportunities
to discover the kinds of careers that
interest them.
The Hospitality Careers Academy, hosted
annually by The Classic Center, is one example
of a week-long camp that shows students
what it’s like to work in hospitality and tourism.
Entering its 20th year of operation, the camp
prepares students to assist in an annual event
for patrons of the The Classic Center held at
the close of the week. Professionals from the
industry are featured speakers throughout the
week, so students receive a true picture of
working in this field of customer service.
A partnership between The Classic Center
and the Athens Community Career Academy
provides students with opportunities they
would not have otherwise. The Classic Center
serves as a laboratory for those students
studying hospitality management. The Academy
will soon offer programs in entertainment,
sports, and events management as well, and
The Classic Center will also be available to
those students. The approval process for
these new programs is underway with the
Georgia Department of Education.