Technical College System of Georgia Unveils Mobile Welding Lab at State Capitol
ATLANTA, GA – The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) unveiled the first of four mobile welding labs earlier this month for an inaugural tour at the Georgia State Capitol. The labs are equipped with six state-of-the-art welding booths, virtual welders, and other instructional resources that will allow local colleges to better serve industry needs and meet workforce demands.
“Georgia’s governor and the General Assembly understand that a skilled workforce is essential to business and industry success in our state,” says Matt Arthur, commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia. “Their support of this project and of TCSG allows us the opportunity to be creative and responsive to industry needs. We brought the first mobile welding lab to the Capitol to show them our appreciation for championing technical education in Georgia.”
In response to the critical welder shortage in Georgia, TCSG received a special funding initiative in support of four mobile welding labs. Designed with accessibility in mind, the labs lay the foundation for an innovative approach to short-term training needs of business and industry across the state.
“Our colleges don’t always have resources immediately available to respond to growing demands,” says TCSG Deputy Commissioner of Economic Development Laura Gammage. “These shared mobile welding labs will allow us to be more nimble and responsive in meeting community needs. These short-term programs are great pathways to long-term careers and the individuals going through training in these labs will come out with valuable skills and industry-recognized certifications.”
The labs provide the ability to customize programs with flexible schedules in order to meet specific industry needs. The labs will be available to TCSG’s 22 colleges around the state to support short-term training needs.
After visiting the Capitol, the mobile welding lab will roll out to a TCSG college for temporary duty. The remaining three labs, arriving this summer, will be assigned around the state as opportunities present themselves.
For more information on the mobile welding labs or on customized short-term industry training, please contact Deputy Commissioner Laura Gammage at lgammage@tcsg.edu.
About the Technical College System of Georgia
The 22 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) are Georgia’s top resource for skilled workers. TCSG offers world-class training in 600 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs to students who are trained on state-of-the-art equipment by instructors who are experts in their fields. The system also houses Georgia’s Office of Adult Education, which promotes and provides adult literacy and education programs, including the GED testing program, throughout the state. In addition, TCSG partners with companies through Quick Start, the nation’s top customized workforce training program, and through its individual colleges, who work with local industry to provide workforce and training solutions. For more information, visit www.TCSG.edu.