FAYETTE COUNTY’S PUBLIC WORKS
CLUB EARNS NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Fayette County, GA – June 17, 2024 Fayette County’s Public Works Club has been recognized with a 2024 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
The Public Works Club is a partnership between Fayette County Government and the Fayette County School System. The club is designed to teach students about local public works career opportunities.
“This was an introduction to job opportunities in Public Works,” Steve Hoffman, Director of Fayette County’s Road Department said. “Public Works departments that are involved are Road, Environmental Management Department, Fleet, Engineering, and Water System,” he said.
Students learned about what each department does to serve the county. Bradley Klinger, Assistant Director of the Road Department, said he hopes the students will appreciate the experience.
“We hope high school students will look into Public Works jobs when they complete their schooling as an alternative to retail and service industries. These available jobs can be from local governments such as Fayette County or one of the many private sector companies,” Klinger said. “The students will understand these skills are learnable and do not require a college education,” he said.
Social Studies Teacher Kenneth James said the club offers in-depth learning about various careers in Public Works.
“The goal of the club is twofold. The first is to provide students with an insight into potential career opportunities that aren't traditionally pushed in high school. The club will give students an opportunity to learn about a variety of topics in Public Works including the operation of large construction equipment and how it relates to video games, underground utilities, GIS (digital mapping) with drone technology, surveying, equipment, and large truck repair, how drinking water is purified and transported from the facility to homes and customer service,” James said.
Student Esteban Guzman, 18, said the first meeting of the Public Works Club exceeded his expectations. “I thought it was going to be something basic like going up there and cleaning up the road but it’s way more fun than that: it’s three times better than I expected,” he said.
“I’m proud of the effort Mr. Klinger and others have put in to develop this program and the success it is having as demonstrated by this National Recognition,” ,” Phil Mallon, Public Works Director said. “Fayette County is excited to continue this program into the 2024/25 school year and is looking for ways to increase participation and expand the opportunities presented to students,” he said.
Each year, NACo’s Achievement Awards recognize outstanding programming in 18 categories aligned with the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, libraries, management, information technology, health, civic engagement and more. Launched in 1970, the program is designed to celebrate innovation in county government. Each nominated program is judged on its own merits and not against other applications.
“The Achievement Awards recognize excellence in county government and effective public service,” said NACo President Mary Jo McGuire. “This year’s winners have delivered results for our residents and demonstrated innovative efforts to strengthen our communities.”
For more information about the Public Works Club, Call 770-320-6010.
The Public Works Club is a partnership between Fayette County Government and the Fayette County School System. The club is designed to teach students about local public works career opportunities.
“This was an introduction to job opportunities in Public Works,” Steve Hoffman, Director of Fayette County’s Road Department said. “Public Works departments that are involved are Road, Environmental Management Department, Fleet, Engineering, and Water System,” he said.
Students learned about what each department does to serve the county. Bradley Klinger, Assistant Director of the Road Department, said he hopes the students will appreciate the experience.
“We hope high school students will look into Public Works jobs when they complete their schooling as an alternative to retail and service industries. These available jobs can be from local governments such as Fayette County or one of the many private sector companies,” Klinger said. “The students will understand these skills are learnable and do not require a college education,” he said.
Social Studies Teacher Kenneth James said the club offers in-depth learning about various careers in Public Works.
“The goal of the club is twofold. The first is to provide students with an insight into potential career opportunities that aren't traditionally pushed in high school. The club will give students an opportunity to learn about a variety of topics in Public Works including the operation of large construction equipment and how it relates to video games, underground utilities, GIS (digital mapping) with drone technology, surveying, equipment, and large truck repair, how drinking water is purified and transported from the facility to homes and customer service,” James said.
Student Esteban Guzman, 18, said the first meeting of the Public Works Club exceeded his expectations. “I thought it was going to be something basic like going up there and cleaning up the road but it’s way more fun than that: it’s three times better than I expected,” he said.
“I’m proud of the effort Mr. Klinger and others have put in to develop this program and the success it is having as demonstrated by this National Recognition,” ,” Phil Mallon, Public Works Director said. “Fayette County is excited to continue this program into the 2024/25 school year and is looking for ways to increase participation and expand the opportunities presented to students,” he said.
Each year, NACo’s Achievement Awards recognize outstanding programming in 18 categories aligned with the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, libraries, management, information technology, health, civic engagement and more. Launched in 1970, the program is designed to celebrate innovation in county government. Each nominated program is judged on its own merits and not against other applications.
“The Achievement Awards recognize excellence in county government and effective public service,” said NACo President Mary Jo McGuire. “This year’s winners have delivered results for our residents and demonstrated innovative efforts to strengthen our communities.”
For more information about the Public Works Club, Call 770-320-6010.