The Office of Economic Development Programs includes Georgia's economic development incentive training program, Quick Start, as well as other programs delivered through the Office of Economic Development Programs at each technical institute. Continuing Education, administration of Georgia's Retraining Tax Credit, the Certified Economic Developer Trainer (CEDT) program, and new program incubation also are responsibilities of Economic Development Programs.
Serving Georgia's new, expanding, and existing industries by delivering the highest quality training as well as developing programs that build a skilled workforce is the major focus of Economic Development Programs. Quick Start served 266 companies last year. The number of trainees — a record 33,967 — is an 8.4 percent increase from FY 98.
History of Trainees 1990 - 1999
In addition to serving as the principal project management and training liaison for Quick Start projects, Georgia's technical institutes also supply customized training for Georgia's businesses. These cost-recovery services provided 944,285 hours of training for 58,153 trainees in 4,215 courses.
Existing Industry Training
*Reporting method was changed in FY 98 to reflect only contract training
Workforce Development
In the three years that Georgia technical institutes have offered these workforce development training certification programs, the agency has made important contributions to the future of Georgia's manufacturing and service industry sectors.
By raising the bar for manufacturing and service industry employees and helping companies succeed, these programs directly address the requirements of today’s high-tech, high-performance work culture. Some businesses offer premiums if workers become certified, while others promise interviews to prospective employees who hold the certifications.
- Certified Manufacturing Specialist - CMS
- Certified Customer Service Specialist - CCSS
The newer program, CCSS, has 1,956 certified, with 1,082 in FY 99. CMS has more than 2,800 certified, with 703 in FY 99.
The Service Industry Academy — a unique collaboration between businesses, communities, and DTAE — now has locations in Columbus, Savannah, and Atlanta. More and more companies are requiring existing employees to complete the program, and some tie graduation from SIA to internal promotion.
With the support of the participating business partners, a curriculum designed to teach basic and advanced skills in customer relations, and an innovative plan that combines workforce training and high school students, the SIA has become a vital link in the expansion of Georgia's trained labor pool. It helps to attract new businesses to the area and to the state.
Certified Economic Developer Trainer (CEDT)
In FY 99, two CEDT classes were completed, with 39 certified. An additional class also began in FY 99, with 25 enrolled in the program. The 18-month course strengthens the infrastructure for delivery of consistent and high quality training services through Georgia's system of technical institutes.
Export Assistance
Partnering with the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism, each technical institute serves as a site for the Georgia International Trade Data Network (GITDN), a database that supports the exporting efforts of Georgia's companies. Training in exporting assists Georgia's companies compete in the global marketplace.
Economic Developer Briefings
Last year, nine statewide Economic Developer Briefings were implemented to update developers about services available to companies through DTAE and Quick Start. In FY 99, briefings were held in Moultrie, Oakwood, Macon, Jesup, Atlanta, Warner Robins, Gainesville, Rome, and Brunswick.
The series of briefings — hosted by the Quick Start Industry Services Advisory Committee and local-area technical institutes — spotlight the state-local partnership in economic development as well as the perspective of local companies on economic and workforce development in their area.
Quick Start Industry Services Advisory Committee
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Mr. Frederick Blumer Blumer International, P.C. Atlanta, GA
Mr. Ken Boyd
Ms. Peggy Chapman
Mr. Dennis Chastain
Ms. Elyse Cochran
Mr. Sam Cook
Mr. Thomas Croteau
Mr. Jeff Davis
Mr. Bob Dixon
Mr. Billy Edenfield
Mr. Lonnie Edenfield
Mr. Jim Ewing
Mr. Tim Forse
Dr. Joe Freund
Mr. John Gilman
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Ms. Kim Goff Georgia Chamber of Commerce Atlanta, GA
Mr. Al Hodge
Mr. Jones Hooks
Mr. Gary Jones
Mr. Stan Kedzierzawski
Mr. Ted Lawrence
Mr. Jim Lenahan
Ms. Deborah Lohnes
Mr. Mike Lott
Mr. John Malone
Mr. Tim Martin
Mr. Phillip Overton
Dr. Rosalynne Price
Mr. Kevin Shea
Ms. Saralyn Stafford |
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