Enrollment skyrockets at technical colleges

By Laura Diamond

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The recession continues to shatter enrollment records at Georgia's technical colleges as out-of-work and underemployed adults return to school to learn new skills and reboot their careers.

Spring quarter enrollment in the Technical College System of Georgia grew to about 107,000 students this year -- a 19 percent increase over last spring, according to data released Tuesday.

About 40 percent of the students are enrolled in programs tied to health-care fields.

This gain follows on large increases during the fall and winter quarters.

Technical college officials say students are attracted to their programs because they are affordable and relatively quick. Diploma programs take between one to two years and tuition is typically $2,400 a year, with much paid through federal grants and state programs, such as the HOPE grant.