News Summary
Dalton State College and Georgia Northwestern Technical College will host the inaugural Northwest Georgia Workforce Summit, focusing on strategies for workforce development and economic competitiveness. With Chancellor Sonny Perdue’s opening remarks and discussions on alignment between education and industry needs, the summit promises to foster collaboration among educators, business leaders, and community partners. Participants will engage in panel discussions and roundtable sessions addressing emerging workforce trends and high-demand career sectors to tackle local economic challenges.
Dalton, GA – Dalton State College and Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) will host the inaugural Northwest Georgia Workforce Summit on Friday, August 22, starting at 8:30 a.m. The event is set to take place in Gignilliat Hall on the Dalton State campus, and aims to unite educators, business leaders, and community partners.
The primary focus of the summit will be to explore strategies that can strengthen the region’s economic and workforce competitiveness. A significant highlight will be the opening remarks from Chancellor Sonny Perdue of the University System of Georgia, who will set the tone for discussions aimed at workforce enhancement.
Commissioner Greg Dozier, representing the Technical College System of Georgia, will emphasize the vital role that higher education plays in workforce development. At a time when Dalton is anticipating the creation of over 20,000 new jobs in the next decade, the emphasis on developing a skilled workforce is more critical than ever.
The summit will include a series of programming options, such as panel discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions led by regional industry leaders. Topics to be discussed may involve emerging workforce trends, educational partnerships, and techniques for both talent development and retention. This wide-ranging approach addresses pressing needs that local industries face in aligning workforce capabilities with economic demands.
GNTC President Heidi Popham has recognized the importance of the summit as a collaborative platform for sharing ideas and best practices among various stakeholders. A key component of the discussions will be an exploration of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s announcement in December regarding a unified high demand career list. This list aims to align educational initiatives and workforce development more closely.
The career sectors highlighted in the Northwest Georgia high-demand list span several industries, including education, engineering, manufacturing, health science, construction, and transportation and logistics. Additionally, the list identifies other high-demand areas such as financial services, public safety, energy, human services, information technology, and marketing. This focused approach assists educational institutions in creating responsive programs that meet the needs of local economies.
Among the summit’s engaging activities will be roundtable discussions during lunch, designed to foster deeper collaboration among participants. These sessions will provide opportunities for attendees to share their insights and collaborate on solutions that can enhance the local workforce landscape.
For those interested in networking opportunities, an optional session will occur on Thursday, August 21, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Gignilliat Hall. This gathering will offer additional chances for attendees to meet and share ideas before the summit kicks off.
Participation in the Northwest Georgia Workforce Summit is free of charge; however, registration is required due to limited space. Interested parties can find more information and register by visiting daltonstate.edu/workforce-summit.
As Dalton prepares to welcome various stakeholders at this pivotal summit, the focus on workforce development reflects the community’s commitment to meeting the challenges of an evolving economy. Educators, business leaders, and community partners are expected to benefit from collaborative discussions that aim to shape the future of the region’s workforce.
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AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
