The Technical College System of Georgia is conducting a series of forums to help students find careers in industries that have a high need for their skills. The Strategic Industries Forums will be held each month at one of the system’s 22 colleges around the state, and will connect the colleges’ workforce resources with industries in the state identified by the Governor’s High-Demand Competitiveness Initiative as having more jobs to fill than there are trained workers available to fill them.
 
“As the state’s primary resource for workforce, the Technical College System of Georgia has the capacity to put in place the necessary programs and train students to fill these positions,” said TCSG Commissioner Gretchen Corbin. “These forums are designed to encourage frank conversations between the directors of these programs and industry leaders from around the state, so we can learn from each other and find new and creative ways to implement programs that will fill these high-demand jobs and put students on the fast track to great careers.”
 
The forums will showcase TCSG’s commitment to support business and industry in maintaining a workforce in the strategic industries highlighted by the Governor, and will give them an opportunity to learn about the extra HOPE Grant dollars available to further assist students in these fields of study. These events will also be an opportunity for the TCSG colleges to learn more about workforce challenges facing these industries on a statewide scale, and how the colleges can flex to meet those needs.
 
Students who enter programs in one of the 10 industries spotlighted in these forums may qualify to receive free tuition through a Strategic Industry Workforce Development Grant (SIWDG), which supplement HOPE Scholarships. Gov. Deal has recommended during the 2016 legislative session that an 11th industry, industrial maintenance, be added to the industries eligible for the SIWDG.
 
Each forum will be hosted by one of the TCSG colleges with a strong program in the industry to be showcased. A list of forums for 2016 is below.
 
TCSG Strategic 2016 Industries Forums
 
Commercial Truck Driving          February 22                 Oconee Fall Line Technical College, Sandersville Campus
 
Film & Set Design                     March 10                      Gwinnett Technical College, Lawrenceville
                                                                                                           
Welding &Joining                      April 14                        Lanier Technical College, Barrow County Campus
 
Precision Manufacturing             May 9                          West Georgia Technical College, LaGrange

Diesel Equipment Technology    June TBD                     South Georgia Technical College
 
Early Childhood Education         August 23                     Augusta Technical College
 
Practical Nursing                       September 26               Wiregrass Technical College, Valdosta
                                                                                                           
Computer Technology               October 19                    Central Georgia Technical College, Warner Robins Campus
                                                                                                           
Certified Engineering Assistant   November 9                  Athens Technical College, Elberton Campus
 
Health Sciences                        December TBD               Columbus Technical College