South Georgia Technical College expanding offerings at Crisp County Center

South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) is expanding the educational programs offered at the Crisp County Center on North Midway Road in Cordele beginning Fall 2017, announced South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford. Air Conditioning Technology will be offered on the South Georgia Technical College Crisp County Center campus beginning this fall. SGTC Industrial Electrical Technology Instructor Mike Enfinger will expand his teaching responsibilities to include this program in Cordele. “This is something that our business and industry partners have asked for in Crisp County and South Georgia Technical College is pleased to be able to expand our program offerings to now include Air Conditioning Technology at the Crisp County Center,” said Dr. Watford. “South Georgia Technical College is committed to meeting the needs of business and industry in our service area and when there is a demand or need and student enrollment is able to support the program, we respond. All of our program areas are continually being reviewed and tweaked to best match the needs of employers in our service area and throughout the state.” In addition to Air Conditioning Technology, several new programs as well as changes to existing programs are being considered in Crisp County. “We are currently exploring new technical programs that are in demand or would be a good fit for the businesses and industries in the Crisp County area,” explained Dr. Watford. “We are in the business of providing educational training that puts people to work in careers that are needed. You might say, we are in supply and demand. When there is a demand for trained workers, we provide the services that help supply that need.” Another way that South Georgia Tech is responding to this demand is by expanding its online course offerings. This summer approximately one-third of the SGTC students enrolled in the over 200 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate of credit programs offered, took at least one or more on-line classes. The increase in online courses has helped individuals who are working or unable to commute to campus to continue their education. In addition to the online offerings, SGTC is also teaching individual courses in its service area where there is not a fiscal campus. Dr. Watford also added that just like in private business, colleges need to be concerned with providing value and benefit to their customers – employers, the general public, and students. “South Georgia Technical College is committed to providing the best return on the investment and confidence placed in the college by the state of Georgia, the local communities, employers, and students. We need the support of the local community, business and industry, and students to be able to expand or continue to provide services. In today’s economy, everyone has to operate within a budget. As technology improves, there are different and more cost effective ways for us to operate that are in the best interests of employers and students. South Georgia Technical College has led the Technical College System of Georgia in operational efficiency for the past three years based on enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. We have accomplished this through hard work, innovation, and cooperation.” South Georgia Technical College also has been recognized by three different agencies in the past 12 months as one of the top Community Colleges in Georgia. The Technical College System of Georgia and Best Colleges as well as Niche ranked SGTC as the top or a finalist for the top two-year college in Georgia. “South Georgia Technical College is responsive to the needs of our constituents,” said Dr. Watford. “We have added a new Director of Business and Industry Services at the Crisp County Center and our new Dean for Enrollment Management is also located there. We are expanding our continuing education offerings, hosting job fairs, and community training sessions. All of this has been done in response to business and industry and educational needs. As long as there is support from a community that can be collaborated through a positive student enrollment, we are open to expanding the opportunities we provide,” said Dr. Watford. South Georgia Technical College is currently registering students for Fall Semester. Sign up today. Classes begin August 14th. The last orientation date on the Americus and Crisp County Center campuses is planned for Thursday, August 10th. Visit the SGTC website: www.southgatech.edu or contact the admissions offices today for more information.