Green building construction, lean manufacturing, health care services, broadband technologies – graduates of Albany Technical College (ATC) have the right set of skills to help local businesses reach their full potential. That does not happen by chance.

ATC goes to great lengths to stay on target with the right programs to serve the local economy today and in the future. ATC conducts an in-depth study of its service delivery area every seven to 10 years, surveys employers on their projected needs and regularly pulls data from state and federal labor-related departments. In addition, representatives from local employers provide input to ATC programs through its program advisory councils, which ensures the program content is up-to-date and relevant.

The effort appears to be working. Last year, more than 2,000 awards were conferred on ATC students including diplomas, technical certificates of credit and graduate degrees and 98 percent of those graduates were placed in jobs. Of the graduates placed, 91 percent are working in jobs related to their ATC training.

“ATC is part of a comprehensive, quality education system in Albany that has the ability to prepare any type of labor force,” explained Dr. Anthony Parker, president of Albany Technical College.

Graduates offer strong skills and work ethic

The education system includes the Dougherty County School System as well as eight private schools, ATC, Darton College and Albany State University. That’s a big advantage for a community of Albany’s size. ATC alone offers 28 associate degrees, more than 40 diplomas and more than 100 technical certificates of credit.

Manufacturers can hire operators and technicians trained in the principles of lean manufacturing. Construction companies can hire graduates equipped with an understanding of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED standard for environmentally sustainable building design. Hospitals and clinics can hire surgical technicians, pharmaceutical technicians and emergency medical technicians to meet the growing demands for health care procedures.

“We offer more than a set of skills. Our students are graded on their work ethic, which encompasses the same attributes that employers look for in dependable employees,” Parker said.

In addition, ATC stands behind its graduates. According to Parker, if an employer finds an ATC graduate is lacking in skills, the college will re-educate the graduate at their cost. Think of it as a full warranty on a newly hired employee.

Slow economy helps drive enrollment

Enrollment at ATC continues to steadily increase, setting new records each term. Enrollment was 3,017 students in summer 2009, 3,916 students in fall 2009 and 4,054 students in winter 2010. According to Dr. Parker, the slow economy and more effective enrollment strategies are equally responsible for the increase.

“More people are recognizing that it’s impossible to find a good job now without documented skills,” Parker said.

At the same time, state funding, which accounts for more than 35 percent of ATC’s operating budget, continues to decrease. Grants and entrepreneurial opportunities help to make up some of the shortfall, but ATC has also mandated furlough days for its employees to reduce operating expenses.

Education as a solution to poverty

Parker believes the education provided by schools like ATC can help solve one of the most important and difficult issues that Albany faces, which is the fact that nearly 25 percent of the residents of Dougherty County live in poverty.

“If we can get people to make an investment in education and take advantage of programs like those available at ATC, then we can help them generate greater economic utility,” Parker explained.

According to Parker, economic utility goes beyond simply earning more money. It’s about realizing better health through preventive care. It’s about achieving self-sufficiency by accumulating savings. It’s about achieving an enhanced quality of life through a more satisfying, fulfilling job.

Going forward, ATC will continue to focus on preparing a labor force that can fully support the local business community. At the same time, ATC will provide students with the skills and work ethic they need to generate economic utility and break the cycle of poverty. Serving students, employers and the community as a whole through changing times – that is ATC’s unchanging goal

About Barbara Kieker

Barbara Kieker is a freelance writer who writes on business-related topics for a number of web-based properties. She also provides communications services to Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses and nonprofit organizations.