Griffin Technical College extends educational reach to Henry County

By Laura Raines

For AJC Jobs

In the business world, it’s best to seize an opportunity when the time is right. Griffin Technical College business management program officials practice what they preach.

“When the Henry County Board of Education renovated the Henry County High School in McDonough, they designated one hall as the Academy for Advanced Studies,” said Bill Walden, program coordinator for the business management program at Griffin Technical College.

“The idea was to make it easier for area colleges, like Clayton State University, Griffin Technical College and Gordon College, to offer dual/joint enrollment programs or establish a satellite campus in Henry County. The long-range plans call for a separate building to house the academy on campus.”

Griffin Tech isn’t waiting for long range. The school is already offering credit courses in business management at Henry County High.

“Business management is the largest program on our main campus, and a third of our students were coming from Henry County. This makes it much more convenient for them,” Walden said.

Walden believes Henry County is thinking ahead by finding new ways to develop its work force base. He expects Griffin Tech to grow a larger presence and offer additional programs at the academy.

Griffin Tech offers day classes in principles of management, business ethics, employment law, leadership and organizational behavior. Next quarter, another five classes will be offered.

The classes will help students fulfill the requirements for a diploma or two-year associate degree in business management, or one of four short-term certificates of credit: small-business success, human resources management, service management or manufacturing operations.

“With plants closing around our main campus, some of our students are coming back to get the education they need to compete in the marketplace,” Walden said. “I tell them it’s worth spending time and money in my program, because they’ll be able to show that they are more qualified. Others have a job and are looking for growth potential with their present or a future employer.”

Walden tells his students that it’s a lot easier to learn about business management in the classroom than learning everything the hard way in the real world.

“A good course in employment law can keep you from getting fired or sued,” he said.

With so many people starting businesses these days, the small-business success certificate is popular.

“It’s easy to start a business, but most people don’t know that there’s a very high failure rate in the first year,” Walden said.

He recently talked to two former students, now co-owners of a landscape business in Locust Grove. “They told me, ‘We didn’t think we’d use all the information we got from your classes, but we have,’ “ Walden said.

Griffin Tech’s program is taught by instructors who work in the industry, and use lectures, discussions, role-playing and case studies in the courses.

“It’s highly interactive. Some of our students have been laid off in the recession and they bring a lot of experience to the classroom. That takes our learning to a whole new level,” Walden said.

In recent years, business graduates have found jobs with starting salaries in the $40,000 to $60,000 range.“Right now companies are still in recovery mode and they are slow to hire,” Walden said.

That means it’s a good time to gain more skills and education. Walden also encourages people to take part-time or contract jobs to get in the door and make a name for themselves.

“Business managers today need a passion for business, strong work ethics, good critical-thinking skills, knowledge of business law and a bit of creativity. Being able to think outside the box is very helpful because things are changing quickly in the workplace,” Walden said.

For information, go to www.griffintech.edu, call 770-228-7348 or contact Bill Walden at bwalden@griffintech.edu.

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