By Lindsey Adkison, The Brunswick News
College of Coastal Georgia is always looking for ways to help community businesses. One of the easiest ways they do this is by educating the local workforce.
That could mean providing four-year bachelor’s degrees to newly minted high school graduates. It could also mean providing further education to those already in the workforce. One new initiative is aimed at doing the latter. The college has started a new bachelor’s degree of applied science with a focus in workforce management. It’s something college officials feel could benefit area industry greatly.
And that was the message Tracy Pellet, vice president of academic affairs at the college, shared with members of the board of the Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority on July 25.
“This is a great degree. It is not the usual degree you see at most colleges. It is a newer degree and it is certainly new to the college,” Pellet said.
He went on to describe the program that takes individuals with two-year degrees, and allows them to complete the workforce management degree online. It, Pellet says, allows these members of the local workforce with solid leadership skills to improve their position without ever missing work.
“It’s a partnership with Coastal Pines Technical College that is going to be able to add value to workforce development here,” Greg Aloia, president of College of Coastal Georgia, added during the presentation.
The students who will take part in the program will do so online. Pellet says that offers a level of convenience to those who are unable to attend traditional classes.
“They can’t leave their full-time employment so it will all be online. But at the same time, we’re ready to step in and teach some of these courses at the actual workplace if needed,” Pellet said.
The cost of the degree can be funded through HOPE, Pellet says, if a student’s grades from their previous technical degree apply.
“This is the way to finish up that degree,” he said. And Pellet hopes to make that as easy as possible.
“We’re working really hard with Coastal Pines and other technical colleges to make sure that is seamless. It’s a great opportunity in terms of industry and employers coming to this area. This is not the degree frankly that most individuals in the state Georgia would have access to and a great one for our area. We see it as a critical piece to this puzzle.”
The authority is equally optimistic. John Scott, project manager with the authority, feels that this is a unique opportunity to buoy the existing industry. And one that they will use to sell Glynn County in the future.
“We’re very excited about CCGA’s new program. Workforce is the top priority for prospective and existing businesses and one of Glynn County’s best advantages is our ability to produce a continuous supply of skilled workers thanks to GICA and CPTC. CCGA’s program takes that advantage to a completely new level,” he said.