The Columbus Technical College Training Center has relocated to the Columbus Industrial Park, 5330 Transport Road, Columbus. The move provides a one-stop shop for customized training services for local businesses and industries. Programs relocated include: Service Industry Academy, Continuing Education, American Heart Association Training Center, Computer Training, and Manufacturing.

“Our ability to customize training services to the specific needs of a company often results in our providing training on-site,” said Jamie Loyd, Vice President for Economic Development with Columbus Technical College. “While we will continue on-site training, having the Training Center in close proximity to many of our business partners makes it more feasible and convenient to provide training in our classrooms and labs.”

A welding and industrial maintenance lab will be part of the new facility. The expansion will allow the college to develop new and advanced manufacturing programs, from short-term customized training solutions and certificate programs to diploma and associate degrees. 

“We are currently collaborating with our business partners to identify specific skill sets they need going forward to ensure they have the requisite workforce to compete in the global economy and have a comparative advantage over competitors,” said Loyd. “The dynamic interaction with and information solicited from our business partners are critical factors in determining the specific academic programs to offer, and equipment to obtain.” 

The relocation of workforce programs in proximity to industrial businesses is part of Columbus Technical College’s economic development mission. 

“In the knowledge economy, people conceived of as human capital assets defined by the knowledge and skills they bring to a job, become the source of growth for any community,” said Loyd. “Columbus Technical College has long been involved in workforce and economic development—in the form of academic, vocational, and remedial education of students.” 

Loyd explains that Columbus Technical College is an open-access institution that provides economic opportunity to a diverse base of students (including marginalized populations), while serving local businesses as a cost-effective and responsive resource for workforce development.

The college works with more than 13,000 students annually to advance the goals of a well-prepared workforce. These goals include strengthening basic academic skills, earning an associate degree, gaining certification in an industry or discipline, and meeting the specific training needs of local and regional businesses and industries. 

“Through these efforts, and by collaborating closely with local, regional, and state economic development agencies, we help create new firms, help existing businesses grow, and attract new business prospects to our region,” Loyd said.  

In partnership with Muscogee County and Harris County school districts, Columbus Technical College has produced award-winning cooperative and apprenticeship programs with several local companies including Pratt & Whitney, Oneda, and Swift Spinning. 

“We are hoping to enhance and expand the opportunities, largely due to the new labs and programs,” said Loyd. “We are also collaborating with seven other colleges across the state in pursuing a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship grant, which if awarded, will provide extra resources toward this effort.”

For more information on economic development initiatives at Columbus Technical College, visit the website at http://www.columbustech.edu/economic-development/.