b'SGAMAG: Not all students can attend classes during the traditional day time hours, how does SRTC offer both traditional on-campus and online courses to accommodate students who work full-time? need for certified welders in the state. The goal is to expand the flexible course schedule to other high demand career programs.We are alsoMany of our course offerings have been designed to be convenientWe see this as a great opportunity provide coveted skills to for the non-traditional student. We have a history of offeringresidents of South Georgia. available toaccessible day courses, evening courses, and online courses. As help train yourwe have extended our reach, our campus locations have expanded in response. With four main campus locations and a dozen current workforce.satellite locations, students in Southwest Georgia are never a long commute from an SRTC class.Serving 11 CountiesThe EconomicIn 2020, we plan to increase our course offerings with SRTC Flex, SRTC Developmentan innovative training program for students who may already beSouthern Regional Technical College in the workforce but who are interested in becoming certified division of ourwelders. The on-campus lab portion of the course is offered everyprovides technical education and Workforce: SRTC President Jim Glass talks with students on the Thomasvilleother Saturday with the lecture portion offered online. These campus.college worksstudents can work full time and earn their Welding certificatetraining within 11 South Georgia counties for instance, we built a new state-of-the-art Computer Numerical Control (CNC)closely withsimultaneously.including Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Grady, lab to meet the future and current training needs of Taurus USA. Our Tool and Dielocal businessSGAMAG: What are some future opportunities SRTCMiller, Mitchell, Seminole, Thomas, Tift, program for was specifically designed in response to CheckMate, Inc. coming tohas to expand its service outreach and strengthen theTurner, and Worth.Thomasville. We are excited to watch these programs grow to meet the needs ofand industryregions workforce pipeline? area businesses. We are also available to help train your current workforce. The Economicpartners toWe are continually looking for ways to improve our course Development division of our college works closely with local business and industrydevelop or revampofferings to fill the gaps in the labor force. We hope withsouthernregional.edupartners to develop or revamp customized training programs on a one-on-oneintroduction of the SRTC Flex program, we can help meet the basis. customized SGAMAG: There is a perception that technical colleges do nottraining programs provide the same educational rigor as a four-year college. How doon a one-on-one you explain to students and parents the benefits of attending SRTC? basis. We can helpWe are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schoolsyou get there Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the same accrediting body that certifies colleges and universities across the region. This accreditation ensures that our- JIM GLASS from here. courses are taught at the same standard, no matter the institution.The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) partners with the University System of Georgia (USG), and our rigorous general education (core) courses areAt Synovus, we combine valuable fully transferrable to USG institutions as well as 19 private colleges and universitieslocal insight with the financial strength in Georgia. We have also forged numerous articulation agreements, allowingand depth of services to meet students to transfer entire degrees to our partner colleges and universities.almost any business need, large or SGAMAG: Throughout Georgia, there continues to be a steadysmall. Here is where we have the growth of high school students participating in dual enrollmentunderstanding to share your vision programs. How is SRTC working to strengthen its dual enrollmentand the resources toopportunities in its service region?help you get there. Lets talk today.Dual enrollment offers high school students with an invaluable head start on their1-888-SYNOVUS|synovus.comeducation and careers. By collaborating with 14 area high schools, we are working hard to offer the types of courses and programs that will engage young students. Our hands-on training model gives students a first-person experience with potential careers, and helps them to focus on their future goals. In 2020, we will be introducing a new Interdisciplinary Studies Associate Degree program, pending SACSCOC approval. The new program will allow students to earn a degree while concentrating on one of three areas of interest while in high school. Synovus Bank, Member FDIC. 12 SG MAGAZINE | WINTER 2020 BUSINESS + CULTURE 13'