IT+ Pilot Program Takes Off in Dalton
"We have a long-standing relationship with Shaw," says Dr. Tom Sommer, chair of Dalton State's Technical Division, "and we're always looking for ways to work with and support local industry."
The certification program enables IT professionals to enhance their technical skills with critical business process, communication, and interpersonal skills. At Shaw, the eight program participants spend about four hours, two days a week in the 16-week class.
In today's economy, Shaw wants to help its staff improve and round out their skill sets, and the IT+ program is helping do just that. Shaw is the world's largest manufacturer of tufted broadloom carpet, selling carpeting, rugs, and hard-surface flooring throughout the United States and exporting to most markets worldwide. With more than 300 IT employees at the Dalton headquarters providing programming, networking, technical support and other IT services to Shaw's 30,000 workers, the skills they are learning through IT+ are invaluable.
The college also sees the benefits of adding IT+ to its curriculum. "We're particularly excited about working with IT+ as the newest part of our longtime collaboration with the local carpet industry," says Dr. Jim Burran, president of Dalton State College.
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The Department of Technical and Adult Education's Information Technology Plus (IT+) certification program is a perfect match for the unique relationship between Dalton State College and Shaw Industries, Inc. Located in the "Carpet Capital of the World," Dalton State has strong ties to the carpet and textile manufacturers that employ the majority of the area's residents. The college has worked very closely with Shaw to help provide a qualified workforce while improving the skills and marketability of the workers.