The state's booming economy has created a demand for skilled workers. In fact,Atlanta is expected to lead the nation in job creation in the next 25 years - expanding Georgia payrolls by nearly two million new jobs.

Georgia — like many other states — has a substantial shortfall of workers trained in technical occupations, according to the Georgia Tech Research Corporation.

More than 80 percent of all new jobs today and projected new jobs through 2005 do not require a four-year college degree. But they do require occupational or professional education beyond high school, according to Kenneth H. Breeden, commissioner of Georgia's Department of Technical and Adult Education.

The shift in educational requirements is well illustrated when you compare the job market of 1950 with that of 2000. During the Korean Conflict, 60 percent of U.S. jobs required no special skills. Today, 85 percent of all jobs require specialized training. Even entry-level manufacturing jobs now require training beyond high school and are beyond the reach of people deficient in mathematical, analytical and verbal skills.

The good news is that jobs that require one to three years of technical training will increase by 50 percent. But that also means the number of jobs that require a traditional four-year college degree will rise by only 36 percent, while jobs requiring only a high school education will drop 20 percent.

So if you're job-hunting, check out the wide variety of career training options available through Georgia's 34 technical institutes. Most Georgians live within 40 miles of a technical institute, which makes it convenient for today's job applicants to train for some of the nation's fastest growing occupations. With most programs, you could be on the job in just a year or two.

The placement rate for technical professions is high. Just ask any instructor at Georgia's technical institutes. Most say they get calls from prospective employers every week and can place as many people as the program can graduate. For example, a recent job fair at Heart of Georgia's Eastman campus netted representatives from about 25 aviation companies, all competing for the school's first 20 aviation technology graduates. Statistics from the Georgia Department of Labor indicate that aviation technology is among the six "hot" careers because of great pay and strong growth potential.

The following list is just a sample of more than 167 programs offered by Georgia's technical institutes.

If you're seeking a dream career or dreaming of a career change, check out one of these hot areas for a high-flying opportunity.