Legislators Enjoy 3rd Annual 'Taste of the Technical Colleges'

Atlanta - The 33 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), including Sandersville Technical College, put technical education’s “wow” factor on center stage for more than 400 state legislators and other dignitaries during the third annual Taste of the Technical Colleges.

The event was held on January 29 and filled the historic Atlanta Freight Depot across from the State Capitol. TCSG officials, college presidents, faculty members, college staff and students were on hand to talk to their VIP guests about the new age of technical education in Georgia.

The lawmakers saw program demonstrations from each college, including courses in in-demand fields like heath care, electronics, logistics, digital technology, and more. The best of technical education was on full display while the guests feasted on food prepared by the chefs and students from the 12 colleges with culinary arts programs.

Sandersville Technical College showcased their Welding and Joining Technology program with the theme, “Welding holds our nation together.” This program alone graduated 107 students in 2007 in STC’s 5-county service area.

STC’s Welding Adjunct Instructor John Tollington (left) and Welding Instructor Tony Simmons stand with STC’s Welding display at the Taste of Technical Colleges in Atlanta. Included in the display was an artistic sculpture by Tollington that was admired by many attendees.

“With welding professions growing at a faster rate than all other occupations in STC’s Workforce Investment Area, this is an excellent career choice for employment locally and nationally,” says STC President Dr. Lloyd Horadan. “The Taste of Technical Colleges is an excellent opportunity to showcase these job opportunities and the great demand for technical education to our state legislature.”

TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson said the event showcases for legislators the kind of learning opportunities that are attracting more people to the state’s technical colleges.

“Last year, our colleges educated more than 140,000 Georgia students and our enrollment is growing,” said Jackson. “The technical colleges’ exceptional level of training, and the in-demand, high-paying jobs that result, is a big reason why more students than ever are making a state technical college their first choice for a college education.”  

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Fast Facts about the Technical College System of Georgia:

• The annual tuition for a full-time student in the TCSG is only $1,728, but Georgia’s HOPE and the federal Pell grants will pay for most of a TCSG education.

• 26,891 students graduated from TCSG colleges in 2007 with either technical certificates of credit, diplomas or associate degrees.

• 41% of TCSG students attend full-time while 59% attend part-time.

• Of the 27,000 students who graduated from TCSG colleges between July 2006 and July 2007, almost 99% are either employed or continuing their education.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

(2008, February 4). The Washington County Spotlight, p1.
(2008, February 6). The Sandersville Progress, p3B.
(2008, February 7). The Sparta Ishmaelite, p2.
(2008, February 15). Thw Warrenton Clipper, p10.