Building on a solid platform of successful programs already in place, Georgia's technical college system is working aggressively to address the increasing demand for technical education and workforce training. While all of our programs are meeting this challenge, one initiative in FY 2003 is being expanded significantly, and exemplifies how our system is responding to real changes in society, both demographic and technological.

The Hispanic Workforce Development initiative aims to serve Georgia's sizable Hispanic population, which now exceeds 435,000. Hispanics represent $5 billion of buying power in Georgia's economy, and they contribute significantly to the state's workforce, fast becoming a strong presence in many different industries.

Technical education has stepped in to serve this community, helping with language skills and providing myriad customized training programs that fulfill unique needs. For example, programs are in place at various workplaces that not only teach English to Hispanic workers but also teach basic Spanish to English-speaking supervisors and managers. This is just one example of the numerous constituencies served by DTAE that continue to grow. For example, according to the latest Census, Georgia has more than 1 million young people between ages 15 and 24, all of whom must be provided with educational opportunities and skills training.

Also, companies are adopting new technologies and business practices in an ongoing effort to remain competitive in the global economy. As a result, there is an increasing need to provide technical education and workforce development to help Georgia's workers retool and retrain. With these challenges facing our state and the nation, technical education and training has become even more important, both for Georgia's citizens and our businesses and industries. To help us address these demands of the market, we have highlighted eight initiatives for FY03. These initiatives will focus our energies as we work to improve our economy and the lives of our people.

Certified Literate Community Program A broad variety of community resources and partnerships are mobilized to promote and support literacy by making it a communitywide commitment. The result is improved literacy levels of children, families and workers in entire communities.

Dr. Kenneth Breeden
Commissioner, Technical College System of Georgia

	.		Certified Training
			Certified Manufacturing Specialist (CMS) Certified Customer Service Specialist (CCSS) Certified Construction Worker (CCW) Certified Warehouse & Distribution Specialist (CWDS) CMS, CCSS, CCW and CWDS provide performance-based training in specific skills needed for manufacturing, customer-service, construction, and warehousing and distribution. Designed to the specifications of Georgia's business and industry, these programs are for pre-employment or new-employment training, or training for existing employees to reach higher performance levels.
<			Human Resources Development Outsourcing
			Georgia's technical colleges serve as customized training resources to business and industry statewide. With companies facing workforce challenges, remaining competitive requires constant worker training and retraining. All of a company's training needs — assessment to performance management, basic to high technology, productivity enhancement to employee involvement — can be met through its local technical college.
<			Hispanic Workforce Development
			Recent technological advancements in the workplace and the substantial population growth in Georgia have reshaped Georgia's labor market. As indicated by the 2000 Census, Georgia's Hispanic population has increased by 300% since 1990 and continues to grow. By combining the efforts of the DTAE, the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic American Center for Economic Development and other local business partners, we will increase our outreach even more effectively to provide increased technical education opportunities.
<			High School/Technical College Collaboratives
			Collaborative programs help high school students complete high school requirements, gain real-world work experience, and earn credits that can be applied to technical college programs. Many programs allow students to earn technical college credentials simultaneously with a high school diploma. Business partners offer work-based learning opportunities. Programs include health care, engineering and industrial technologies, public and personal services, and business technologies.
<			Certified Literate Community Program
			A broad variety of community resources and partnerships are mobilized to promote and support literacy by making it a community-wide commitment. The result is improved literacy levels of children, families and workers in entire communities.
<			Industry - Certified Technical Training
			Technical colleges are meeting the needs of businesses by taking industry-developed certification programs and building them into corresponding technical education programs. For example, certifications developed by Microsoft and Cisco have been tailored to become programs in Computer Information Systems and Business Office Technology. These offerings, called Technical Certificates of Credit (TCCs), include programs in Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts and Air Conditioning Technology, born out of existing certifications in these fields. The TCC programs are designed to lead into advanced diploma and degree programs as well, in order to serve the range of educational goals of students. The programs also provide opportunities for high school students to get a head start on success through dual-enrollment collaborations with technical colleges.
<			Virtual Technical College
		.	Georgia Virtual Technical College (GVTC) uses advanced technology to deliver postsecondary instruction via the Internet. Georgia's technical colleges are positioned to succeed in Internet instruction because of existing standardized course formats used by all 34 technical colleges. Hands-on segments are held in local and regional centers across Georgia.
<			Youth Development Opportunities
		.	Georgia Georgia's technical colleges are forging new and significant partnerships to increase awareness of and interest in technical education on the part of Georgia's young people who are involved in alternative education programs, educational facilities within the Department of Juvenile Justice, and youth organizations. This will help provide a vital link for some of Georgia's youth at a critical stage in their lives. The partnerships being established will be monitored and evaluated in order to ensure the replication of best practices and documentation of the anticipated significant positive results for this vital population.

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