Leaders with Lanier Technical College met with Lumpkin County School System officials Monday to ink a contract that could extend new opportunities to high school students in the area.

A dual enrollment program could help students in Dahlonega “step outside the box,” according to Dewey Moye, superintendent of Lumpkin County Schools.

The agreement, which allows students to earn high school and technical college credit at the same time, is a “win-win,” according to Lanier Tech Dean Tim McDonald.

“We’ve got to engage these young people at an early age into thinking about a career,” McDonald said. “I think dual enrollment will give them a jump start. There’s no doubt about that.”

Students in Lumpkin County will be able to enroll in programs at the nearby Dawson County campus.

“With a campus just 12 miles down the road, we think it’s a good fit for some of our programs,” McDonald said.

Dual enrollment begins effective of the contract’s signing date, according to Moye. “We’ve got students who are going to get into welding classes right away,” Moye said, adding that more programs will become available down the road.

Lanier Tech President Russell Vandiver said the technical college system business has one mission: “It’s real simple. Workforce development.”

Added Vandiver: “Our desire to have dual enrollment programs at Lumpkin County schools is nothing more than saying we want students to have more options, options they may not necessarily have, and bringing those options here.”