Looking for help, the companies turned to Appalachian Technical College. Georgia's technical colleges and institutes have a long history of responding to the needs of local business and industry, and this case was no exception.

An advisory committee of local business and industry experts was formed. Together with Appalachian Tech, the committee identified the training that would be needed and helped develop a curriculum as well as search for an instructor. Piolax, along with ERB Industries, Evenflo Company, Morrison Products, Universal Alloy Inc., and Lexington Insulators, provided seed money to jumpstart the program. Within months, the Metals and Plastics Technology Apprenticeship program was up and running.

"One of the biggest concerns in business and industry is that they can't find enough good, qualified people to fill the positions, so it is an investment for them to get involved at this level," says Randy Lloyd, instructor and coordinator of the metals and plastics program.

Today, more than 16 students are enrolled in the program, which will soon see its first graduates. The advisory committee continues to play an important role by providing broad input, illustrating the invaluable link between tech colleges and institutes and the business and industry communities they serve.

"They tell us what our students actually need. We can work closely with the committee to develop a better program, from the curriculum to updating equipment. It helps me as an instructor to know what they want out of an employee so I can provide my students [with] the training they need most," Lloyd says. "The industry changes every day. There's always new equipment, new software, and new technology to learn. You have to keep up with the technology, and the advisory committee helps us to do that."

Gary Gray, human resources manager for Piolax and a member of the advisory committee, knows all too well how important trained employees are to the bottom line. Piolax has a goal to build most, if not all, of its tools in- house, greatly decreasing costs and expenses.

"We know in the long run it will be very beneficial to all of us to have workers trained to do this. It's an investment in the future," Gray says. "It's a great partnership, and we've all worked hard to accomplish our goals. It just goes to show you what can happen when industry and technical schools work together."

Across the state, advisory committees play an integral role in the development of programs in Georgia's technical schools. Both locally and at the state level, technical colleges and institutes are listening closely to what their business and industry partners have to say.

"Advisory committees have always been an integral part of what tech schools are all about," says Dr. Coy Hodges, president of Griffin Technical College.

"Their role and influence and function have increased in the last 10 years, due to the rapid changes in technology. With the advances in technology, we really need these people to help us keep abreast of the changes," he says. "We rely on them for valuable input, and it works extremely well for us. These people are highly technical. It's a natural fit in our role as technical education providers."

Like other technical colleges and institutes, Griffin Tech has an advisory committee for each department. Each committee, composed and chaired by volunteer members of the local business and industry community, has a three-year plan of what it wants to see accomplished in the program, from curriculum to equipment needs. All of the committees meet formally twice a year, which allows for strategic planning in each program, an ongoing process that is evaluated at each meeting.

"The committee members are experts in their field. They are invaluable — crucial — to what we do and the people we serve," Dr. Robert Arnold, vice president of instruction at Griffin Tech, says. "Without them, we would be at a disadvantage in meeting the needs of our students and employers, not just here but around the state."

Jim Corbin, a 1979 graduate of Griffin Technical College, is the owner of Corbin Comfort Systems and serves on the technical programs advisory committee. Corbin has been involved with the committee since its inception more than a decade ago.

"We help to guide instructors on what they need to focus on in terms of real world situations," Corbin says. As the owner of a heating and air-conditioning business, Corbin knows how hard it is to find skilled employees. Working with Griffin Tech is an easy choice for him.

"It's a source of future employees and also helps make for a better employee," Corbin says. "When we have input, it helps to build a better student and, ultimately, a better employee. In my business, you either have to steal employees from other companies or grow your own, so it makes more sense to cultivate more employees, which is better for everyone."

In addition to providing general guidance, advisory committees also can help dramatically reshape programs to provide business and industry with the skills they need from their employees. The business management and computer courses at Griffin Tech have gone through many changes in recent years due to the influence of the advisory committee.

Griffin Tech, located between Atlanta and Macon, is in a perfect position to deliver students ready for fast-paced, computer-oriented jobs. But to do so, the programs have to be current, says Bill Blum, chair of the business and information services committee. Blum is a senior computer systems specialist with the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

"This type of education has to be training at the forefront of technology. If you're behind the curve, it doesn't help students or business and industry," Blum says. "Technical schools have a tremendous impact by providing focused training."