“The State of Georgia,” declares Governor Brian Kemp, “is a great place to do business.” On that point, the Governor enjoys general agreement. A key to his favorable economy is the state’s five million person workforce.
Increasing the workforce yearly are the needed, trained, and educated graduates of The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). For example, the Class of 2024 numbered 40,451. The TCSG has become one of Georgia’s invaluable, often underappreciated, assets.
It is a given. In today’s environment of rapid change and globalization, no economy can succeed without a high-quality workforce. Enter the TCSG. Its stated objective: “To create a welleducated, technically trained workforce, thus ensuring economic success for both Georgia and its people.”
Increasingly, the nation’s labor force is divided. In the managerial and professional economy, most workers have college educations.
Among the blue collar and skilled trades fewer than half have some college record.
The Board of Labor Statistics reports the U.S. economy faces a growing demand in the skilled trades. For example, the American Welding Society estimates the economy will need more than 330,000 new welders by 2028. The highest 10 percent can expect to earn more than $75,850 per annum.
The construction industry is facing a labor shortage. It will need in 2025 nearly half a million new workers — in all phases of construction skills.
These trends have causes. For one, the workforce is aging. A staffing agency found that roughly 40 percent of skilled trade workers are over 45 years old and nearly half of those are over 55.
Their approaching retirement will stimulate further spikes in demand for skilled tradesmen.
Georgia’s new companies — like Hyundai, Archer Aviation and others — are attracting young people with technical skills. Overall, Georgia’s labor market is “full of opportunity with nearly five million jobs and three openings for every Georgian” said Labor Commissioner, Barbara Rivera Holmes, in April. This is a limited overview of the TCSG environment. Its message is simple and direct: “Come to TCSG and land a good paying job straight out of your technical program with opportunities in the future.”
Origins of the TCSG date back to 1917 and passage of the Smith Hughes Act. At first, Georgia Senator Hoke Smith’s bill provided for vocational training in agriculture. By the early 20th century emphasis shifted to preparing students for the industrial economy. By the 1960s, Georgia had opened 19 vocational- technical schools.
Today the TCSG offers 600 programs, in 22 community colleges, on 88 campuses located in Georgia’s every corner. Courses range from hightech, to heavy truck driving, to practical nursing, to the newly opened culinary skills center in Savannah. Georgia’s aerospace corporations comprise the state’s second largest manufacturing industry. Its demand for skilled workers is attracting many TSCG students.
Enrollment is growing. In 2024 it totaled 148,746, a 10.6 percent increase. Over 40,000 completed most courses requiring two years of training. Ninety-nine percent find jobs or engage in further training. A key point: Ninety-two percent of graduates find placement in their respective fields of training.
Entrance requirements present few barriers. Applicants must be 16 years of age and hold a high school transcript or GED equivalent. Tuition varies according to the student’s residency and the chosen course of training. It averages between $10,243 and $13,437.
Georgia Trend Magazine recently published a feature article on the TCSG. Author, Patty Rasmussen, describes in detail how its numerous training programs are transforming lives by helping students succeed. The evidence is growing, and its there for all to see.
Sources: P. Rasmussen, Georgia Trend Magazine, Mr. 21,’05; New Georgia Encyclopedia, “Technical College System of Georgia;” AI Overview, “Workforce Demands in Georgia,” “Demands for Welders.”
• Retired attorney Jim Thomas lives in Atlanta. Email jmtlawyerspeak@ yahoo. com
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