The Appalachian Regional Commission announced approval of a grant in the amount of $407,350 to Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) for the Northwest Georgia Southern Appalachian Automotive Workforce Development Initiative.
Georgia Northwestern has developed a work plan to provide residents of Chattooga County the opportunity for technical training in academic programs (technical certificates of credit) serving the automotive manufacturing industry.
The proposed program will be made available to high school students and adult residents in Chattooga County.
“We are excited to receive this funding and look forward to training the citizens of Chattooga County for automated manufacturing careers in the automotive industries across the northwest Georgia region,” said Pete McDonald, president of GNTC.
By purchasing mobile training aids, the college will have the opportunity to offer these programs at the high school sites. The proposed technical certificate will include courses related to programmable controllers and industrial motor controls addressing the high demand for technical skills in the automotive industry.
Following graduation from high school, students may continue their education at GNTC to acquire additional certificate programs or add other credentials by adding academic courses. Additional credentials in the industrial systems program area include diplomas and associate of applied science degrees. In addition to serving high school students, the college serves adult learners at five campuses located across northwest Georgia.
In addition to ARC fund, state sources will provide $102,000 bringing the total project funding to $509,350.