In just over one month, 677 individuals made themselves more marketable, by earning more than 2,400 professional development certificates thanks to free professional development courses offered online at Columbus Technical College. Columbus Tech’s customers make up nearly 30 percent of all registered users of the complimentary courses offered across the TCSG system of 22 colleges. 

Of the more than 2,400 certificates awarded so far, almost 1,900 were earned by Georgia residents with more than 900 in Muscogee County alone. Nearly 550 certificates have been earned by residents from nine other states.  

“Being able to provide these courses in an online platform has made them much more accessible to a larger audience,” said Jamie Loyd, Columbus Tech’s Vice President of Economic Development and Strategic Partnerships. “The courses take an average of two hours to complete and users can go at their own pace. When they’re finished, they have a certificate showing they have either acquired or honed valuable skills.”

Columbus Technical College offers nine complimentary courses, with more on the way. They include: Ten Soft Skills, Attention Management, Business Etiquette, Business Writing (Basic & Advanced), Customer Service, Emotional Intelligence, Goal Setting & Getting Things Done, Time Management, and Job Search Skills.  A course on Telework and Telecommuting will be released soon. To support those facing challenging employment situations during the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, the classes will continue to be free for a limited time. 

For more information on Columbus Tech’s Economic Development division and the services it provides, contact Jamie Loyd at [email protected]  For more on the free online professional development courses, visit https://www.columbustech.edu/economic-development/professional_development.cms.