Thomasville, GA - Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) is delighted to announce that it has been named a partner in the Georgia AI Manufacturing (AIM) Grant. This $65 million, multi-year grant will develop and expand artificial intelligence (AI) manufacturing and workforce development throughout Georgia.
The Georgia AIM project proposes to build a technical workforce training incubator and talent pipeline for autonomous and AI manufacturing technologies. Partners include education, business, government, and economic development groups.
Georgia AIM recognizes SRTC's commitment to excellence in technical education and its dedication to fostering innovation in the field of AI. Through the development of Innovation Incubators, starting with K-12 partners, SRTC will work to strengthen the pipeline of STEM and AI innovators and entrepreneurs.
Through partnerships with Georgia Tech, Foundational Leadership Entrepreneurship and X-perience (FLEX), Tisk-Task, Southwest Georgia Regional Commission, DOE Office of Rural Education and Innovation, Spark Thomasville, Chamber of Commerce, local manufacturers, Thomas County School System, and the Thomas City School System, SRTC will spearhead the development of the Georgia AIM Technology Corridor to connect student innovators with business and industry partners to solve real-world problems.
The project will provide equity of access to innovation and entrepreneurship skills for rural, underserved students, transforming the region into a hub for advanced manufacturing and AI research and development. SRTC’s new Director of Innovation, Willie Allen, will work to train at least 1,000 students and 100 teachers from the region and expand partnerships with Georgia Tech programs, FLEX, the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission, local manufacturers, and K-12 school leaders.
Georgia AIM will also serve as a collaborative platform for industry leaders, and educational institutions beginning with Thomasville City Schools and Thomas County Schools to converge and drive technological breakthroughs. By harnessing the power of AI, this initiative aims to revolutionize manufacturing processes, enhance productivity, and foster economic growth throughout Georgia.
The establishment of Georgia AIM aligns perfectly with SRTC's mission to provide relevant and cutting-edge education to its students. By offering specialized programs in AI, SRTC will equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the evolving workforce.
In addition to empowering students, this initiative will have far-reaching impacts on Georgia's economy. Georgia AIM is designed to will attract new businesses, create high-paying jobs, and solidify Georgia's position as a leader in advanced manufacturing.
To celebrate this milestone, SRTC hosted two pilot events that brought together industry professionals, government officials, educators, and community members. The event showcased the vision and potential of the Georgia Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing Technology Corridor in the region. Events began on July 17 with the School to Business Summit sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, and continued through July 20 with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Educators Workshop in which STEAM educators from across the state developed a toolbox of resources to bring into their classrooms.
“It takes the collaborative efforts of many to address the future needs of Georgia’s workforce,” said Danyelle Larkin, educational outreach manager with Georgia Tech’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC), one of the Georgia AIM project partners at the university. “We were so happy to see so many educators and community members working together,” she said. “During the Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Educators Workshop, teachers from Thomas County, Decatur County, and Mitchell County were introduced to existing AI applications and talked to local business and industry leaders about the state’s workforce needs. Educators left this workshop with tools to implement AI in their classrooms and made plans to continue the collaborative work of the Georgia AIM project to strengthen and empower communities throughout Georgia.”
SRTC offers over 150 degree, diploma, and certificate programs that are designed to get you quickly into your desired career, and 28 general education courses that transfer to the University System of Georgia institutions and 19 private colleges and universities in Georgia. SRTC has instructional sites located in eleven counties across Southwest Georgia for the convenience of our students. The College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. For the most up-to-date information on registration, class dates, and program offerings, log on to www.southernregional.edu or call (888) 205 – 3449.
Fall semester begins August 15. Don’t wait, enroll today!