For many years there has been an assumption that in order to procure a substantial salary in the workforce you were required to hold a minimum of a baccalaureate degree. While that sentiment may hold true for some industries and professions, it simply is not the case for all professions. The Technical College System of Georgia institutions provides career training for many of the most in-demand fields that offer wages well above the national average for all professions. Thanks to the Governor’s Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant (SIWDG) and other financial assistance programs, eligible students are now able to obtain a degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit in many fields at little or no cost.
Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) offers the following programs that are included in the SIWDG initiative: commercial truck driving, computer information systems, early childhood care and education, health science, industrial maintenance, practical nursing, precision manufacturing, and welding and joining technology.
For current nursing student Kimberly Brown it was the prevalence of jobs and the associated wages that led her to SRTC.
“I have a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, but those jobs were scarce in this area. I also found myself competing with graduates of two year programs for the positions that were available. Looking back, I have no regrets, but wish that I would have considered a program like this at the time. I think a lot of people just don’t realize the kind of salaries you can earn with a two year program or less,” commented Brown.
For perspective, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the median wage of all occupations nationwide as $33,425. This number accounts for all wage earners regardless of educational level. The chart below shows many of the programs offered at SRTC and their median wages compared to the national average, as well as the projected job growth through 2024.
“Many of the programs of study offered at SRTC, both in traditional technical and industrial fields and health sciences, result in an excellent starting salary or wage for graduates. That, coupled with the financial assistance offered by Governor Deal’s SIWDG initiative, makes the programs very attractive and a tremendous value,” commented SRTC President Dr. Craig Wentworth.
SRTC offers over 148 degree, diploma, and certificate programs that are designed to get you quickly into your desired career, and 27 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 Ashburn, Cairo, Camilla, Moultrie, Thomasville, Tifton, and Sylvester 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.