Senate passes bill giving academic credit to veterans
Prior military experience would count at colleges.
Janel Davis
The state Senate unanimously approved legislation Tuesday formalizing policies allowing service members to receive college credit for their prior military experience when attending Georgia’s technical colleges.
The technical college system already grants this type of credit, but Senate Bill 18 makes the policy official, said bill sponsor Sen. Ed Harbison, who called the bill a “big welcome home” for service members.
“This legislation embraces the thought that when our veterans return we are providing an opportunity for them to not miss a beat and get reconnected with civilian life post-deployment, ” said Harbision, D-Columbus. “It shows that we intend to care for our veterans. It’s just the right thing to do.”
Harbison, a former Marine and Vietnam War veteran, previously sponsored similar legislation formalizing the policy for military members attending schools in Georgia’s public University System.
Georgia is home to about 776,00 veterans and 100,000 active-duty military personnel, including guardsmen and reservists, and ranks fifth in the nation for states with the most active-duty service members, according to information from the state department of veterans services and the military affairs division of the University System of Georgia.
The bill would cost the Technical College System of Georgia about $241,500 for fiscal 2016, including $115,000 to pay for a staff person to manage the program, $101,500 for a prior learning assessment contract to determine how military and occupational experiences apply to tech programs, and $25,000 for database and website updates, according to a fiscal note attached to the legislation.
SB 18, which passed the Senate with a 53-0 vote, now moves to the House for consideration.
Gwinnett Tech Hosts Atlanta Science Festival Event
Explore the Science Behind 30+ Different Careers at Science Works, March 26, 6 to 9 p.m.
Ready for a great career? Gwinnett Technical College has it down to a science! Learn how science can be your launching pad for more than 30 different careers and explore the science behind the scenes through tours and interactive activities at Science Works, March 26, 6 to 9 p.m., on the Gwinnett Tech campus.
The event is free. Pre-registration is recommended at www.GwinnettTech.edu/ScienceWorks.
Gwinnett Tech is located at 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.
“This is the second year that Gwinnett Tech is hosting Science Works as part of the Atlanta Science Festival,” said Dr. Cathy Scholz, dean of life sciences at Gwinnett Tech. “We had a tremendous crowd last year and are looking forward to the same this year. Science Works is particularly a great event for families with high school and middle school students who are beginning to think about their future career.”
The Atlanta Science Festival a weeklong celebration of local science and technology, from March 21 – 28. The Festival will offer hundreds of activities during eight days at more than 50 locations across Atlanta. Performances, exhibits, lectures, demonstrations, workshops, guided walks and more will bring together local scientists, experts, teachers, and entrepreneurs with area communities of young people, families and adults who are interested in the role science and technology plays in today’s world. For more information and the full festival schedule, visit www.AtlantaScienceFestival.org or follow the event on Facebook at AtlantaScienceFestival and on Twitter at @ATLSciFest.
At Gwinnet Tech, the focus will be on the science behind more than 30 of today’s most in-demand and diverse careers – from healthcare to horticulture.
Each career field will feature an interactive activity for guests – hands-on opportunities like mock surgeries, EMS simulators, DNA labs, driving simulators and more. Program directors for each career will be available for questions, as will Gwinnett Tech admissions representatives. This program has special information for veterans and displaced workers. The festival will also feature food trucks on campus.
In all, Gwinnett Tech offers more than 50 degree, diploma and certificate options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.
Gwinnett Tech Breaks Ground on New North Fulton Campus
Construction is now underway on Gwinnett Tech’s new campus in North Fulton, which will add college credit classes to GTC’s offerings in the county. The first campus building, one of three planned, is three stories with approximately 95,000 square feet and will include classrooms, labs and administrative space. When built out, it’s anticipated the campus could serve 10,000 students. GTC has been serving North Fulton since 2010 and now offers continuing education, adult education and dual enrollment for high school students. Classes are projected to start in North Fulton in January 2016.
KSU Offers WIA Funding for 30 Professional Certificate Courses
KSU’s College of Continuing and Professional Education offers WIA Funding for 30 of its professional certificate programs to provide students relevant training to re-enter the workforce. WIA (Workforce Investment Act) is a federal grant that covers training expenses for individuals who have been laid off, or whose household income is at or below the federal poverty level. After a layoff, Tammie Gruhn picked up a WIA pamphlet at Kennesaw’s Department of Labor office. She had always been interested in the legal field and decided it was time to make a career change. Gruhn went on to graduate from KSU’s Paralegal certificate program and has become one its instructors. “I would not be where I am in the legal field today without the funding I received through the WIA program,” Gruhn said. “I found the application process very easy and the staff was encouraging.” The College’s 30 WIA-approved classroom and online programs provide training in growing industries such as healthcare, technology and management. Additionally, seven bundled programs are offered. For more information or to apply for a grant, contact the One-Stop Workforce Center for the county in which you reside, or the county where you worked when you were laid off from employment. Cobb County’s office information can be found at cobbworks.org. You may also contact KSU’s Registration office for assistance at CEFinancialAid@kennesaw.edu or 470-578-6765.
KSU to Host Free Career Training Expo April 2
KSU’s College of Continuing and Professional Education will host a Career Training Expo on April 2, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The free event will provide individuals the opportunity to sharpen their competitive edge by learning from several information sessions covering multiple industries. “This is another example of our commitment to those who desire to make a change to enhance their personal and professional growth,” said Barbara Calhoun, dean of the College. The Expo will spotlight more than 50 professional certificate programs, allowing attendees to meet instructors and recent graduates at the information sessions. Highlighted programs include, Payroll, Culinary, Information Systems Security, Medical Assisting, Paralegal, Lean Six Sigma, Project Management and Web Design. As a special incentive, all attendees will receive a 10% discount coupon valid through April 9. However, those who register on-site will receive a student gift pack. There will also be an opportunity to enter and win an iPad mini. Career coach John Long returns to lead sessions on job interviewing and professional branding. He brings more than a decade of experience and a wealth of relevant knowledge to his presentations. The Expo will also be staffed with financial aid advisers. They will provide assistance on payment plans, VA Education Benefits, Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and scholarships. Registration is required and can be completed online at ksuexpo.com or by calling 470-578-6765.
