Albany Technical College Blog
I’m not a sociologist; however, the work done by the Technical College System of Georgia and Albany Technical College has the potential to make positive changes to the culture in Southwest Georgia. I’m not a psychologist or psychiatrist; nevertheless, I’ve seen evidence that improving the earning potential of individuals will improve their emotional outlook. I’m not an anthropologist; but I’ve seen entire communities prosper when the number of well-paying jobs increased. Unfortunately, I’ve also observed the decline of Individual municipalities and entire regions because well-paying jobs and skilled workers leave. I’m not a criminologist; but I’ve observed a correlation between crime and income.
We’ve all heard the clichés. Success brings increased responsibility. To those who much has been given, much is required. Carry as you climb. Pay it forward. If you see something, say something. Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to fish and you feed them for a lifetime. Are these statements just talk, or are they a call to take action? What do these statements have to do with Albany Technical College? What is the college’s duty to act?
For every three jobs that require a technical college graduate, Albany Tech can provide only two candidates. Existing industries, especially those that provide essential goods and services, are expanding. Nurses and commercial truck drivers are retiring faster than ranks are being replenished. The new industries are located in the same region as expanding industries; both needing additional technical college graduates.
Read more: Why Basic Adult Education Must Transition into Career Plus High School Equivalency
The Albany Dougherty Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is fortunate to provide essential services that impact the entire United States. We repair and remanufacture equipment for the U.S. Marine Corps. We manufacture paper products, brew beer, and process food. We grow and harvest pine trees, then convert the raw material to paper and lumber. We grow peanuts, pecans, and other food products as well. Fortunately, the demand for the products and services that we produce does not decline substantially during economic downturns.
Blue-collar workers are obviously necessary. We all rely on blue-collar workers for our safety and wellbeing. Each morning we turn the faucet on to brush our teeth; flip a switch to make our coffee, and on a hot day, we hurry inside for the coolness of air conditioning. We assume that our cars will slow down and stop in the rain on a steep downgrade. Trucks bring goods to stores and often directly to our homes.