BMW has selected Atlanta Tech for its Diversity Technician Training Project, a pilot program that BMW hopes to implement throughout the country. Six automotive-technology students from Atlanta Technical College have been chosen by BMW to participate. Candidates were selected based on academics, work ethics, and their performance in rigorous interview and testing sessions. These outstanding students will become BMW Certified Technicians through an intense eleven-week program. While in training, students will also be learning through paid apprenticeships at area BMW dealerships.

State Farm Insurance Company - the largest auto insurer in Georgia and the United States - has recently donated a 1999 Ford Taurus SE to Central Georgia Technical College and a 1997 Ford F150 truck to Columbus Technical College. The vehicles, given in recognition of the importance of quality automotive repair, will be used for training students in automotive body and mechanical repair at the colleges.

Gwinnett EMS Technologies, Inc. recently gave a four-year grant valued at $100,000 to Gwinnett Technical College to support construction of the George Busbee International Center for Workforce Development. The multi-million dollar, three-building complex will focus on high-tech training and international business and will feature an 11,200-square-foot Scientific-Atlanta Auditorium, a 70,000-square-foot Advanced Technology Center and a 54,000-square-foot Global Learning Institute with high-tech classrooms and faculty offices.

EMS, a leading manufacturer of wireless and space products and components, has a longstanding relationship with Gwinnett Tech as a key supplier of technical training to EMS line technicians and supervisors across EMS divisions. Gwinnett Tech also provides on-site instructors for EMS's English as a Second Language courses.

Delta Air Lines, Inc. recently donated a Rolls Royce Turbo-Fan Engine from a retired L-1011 aircraft to Middle Georgia Technical College to be used for training in the Aviation Maintenance Technology Program. The engine, when new, was worth $10 million.

Sandersville Tech is proud to announce the receipt of $465,000 worth of new computer parts from Intel Corporation to be used in the StRUT computer-recycling program, through which students learn computer repair and study to earn A+ Certification. Since the inception of the program in 2000, Georgia has recycled approximately 2,500 computers and successfully trained over 250 students. Sandersville Tech's partner colleges include Altamaha Technical College, East Central Technical College, Georgia Aviation Technical College, Heart of Georgia Technical College, Moultrie Technical College, Ogeechee Technical College, Okefenokee Technical College, Swainsboro Technical College, and West Central Technical College.

Savannah Technical College has honored Gwendolyn P. Goodman by naming a classroom building for her; Gwen Goodman Hall thus becomes the first named building in Savannah Tech's history. Presenting resolutions and proclamations for he occasion were the State Board of Adult and Technical Education, on which Goodman has served since her appointment in 1993; the Chatham County Commissioners; the Savannah City Council, on which Goodman has served as a city alderman since 1992; and the Board of Education for the Savannah-Chatham Public Schools, where Goodman's career spanned more than 30 years as a teacher and administrator, ending with her retirement as associate superintendent in 1991. In addition, letters of commendation from President George W. Bush, Senators Max Cleland and Zell Miller, Congressman Jack Kingston, Governor Roy Barnes, and state legislators Tom Murphy and Ann Purcell were presented at the ceremony.

South Georgia Technical College has won Second Place in Cooper Industries' Project Pace Education Awards. South Georgia Tech won this award by expanding its Certified Manufacturing Specialist (CMS) program to area high schools. South Georgia Tech was one of the 20 schools across the United States and Mexico that were awarded unrestricted grants for 2001-2002.The school used its grant to equip its CMS lab, a 4,000-square-foot facility that is now being utilized by juniors and seniors of Sumter County and Americus High Schools to enhance hands-on training and exposure to the manufacturing environment tailored to meet Cooper Lighting's entry-level employment skill needs. The program also has been expanded into Schley County High School, with other area high schools to follow.

South Georgia Tech has opened its Heavy Equipment Technology Center, and Caterpillar has designated South Georgia Tech as the Southeastern Caterpillar's College of Technology. South Georgia Tech will provide Caterpillar's training for a five-state area.

West Central Technical College officially gave the public its first look at the new Thomas B. Murphy Campus in Waco at an event hosted by the Haralson County Chamber of Commerce. Governor Roy Barnes was present at the event, which honored Speaker Murphy and his contributions to technical education.