News & Events
Survey Names Georgia ‘No. 1 in U.S.’ for Workforce Training
Contact: Kay Williamson, Office of Public Relations and Information
Phone: 706.646.6131 ∙ Email: kwilliamson@flintrivertech.edu
Georgia has once again been selected as the No. 1 state in the U.S. for workforce training in Expansion Management magazine’s annual survey of site selection professionals.
“In a poll of more than 80 site location consultants, the State of Georgia was ranked No. 1 in the country for workforce training for its Quick Start program,” the magazine reported in its latest issue. The magazine also noted that for the past six years, Georgia has ranked either No. 1 or No. 2. That consistent performance has made Georgia the overall top-ranked state in the country since the survey began in 1999.
Gorton Wood, Expansion Management's director of economic development, says that he is not surprised by Georgia’s ranking. He described the reputation of Georgia’s training program by saying: “You can't talk about workforce training without talking about Quick Start.”
“Quick Start has proven itself time and again that it is one of Georgia’s best assets for economic development,” says Gov. Sonny Perdue. “The quality of our workforce attracts investment from around the globe, and Quick Start’s workforce training helps guarantee those companies’ success in Georgia.”
“It’s an honor that site location professionals recognize the value of Quick Start,” says Ron Jackson, Commissioner of the Department of Technical and Adult Education, of which Quick Start is a part. “It is the linchpin for our agency’s economic development efforts.”
Expansion Management’s managing editor, Ken Krizner, attributes Georgia's consistently high rankings to one thing: "Georgia has created an environment that is very attractive to expanding companies from anywhere in the world. Quick Start is an important part of that environment. Quick Start has the ability and the knowledge to train a work force that is ready to go from Day One.”
Jackie Rohosky, DTAE assistant commissioner who has led Quick Start for the past 15 years, adds, “Working together, Quick Start and Georgia's technical colleges are able to provide businesses in Georgia with a state-of-the-art, total solution for workforce training.”
Kathy Love, President of Flint River Technical College comments, “Georgia’s Quick Start is a valuable asset to our service area. This is a very unique program and meets the training needs of our business and industry partners.”
Since 1967, Quick Start has trained more than 600,000 employees through 5,100 projects with a broad range of industries. The program is one of Georgia’s most important economic development incentives for attracting new investment to the state and promoting job creation.
Mark Andrews, Vice President of Economic Development at Flint River Technical College adds, “Georgia Quick Start serves as a significant resource in meeting the training needs of the workforce in our service area by providing customized programs that enhance global competitiveness.”
Quick Start’s five regional offices mean that no matter where in Georgia a company chooses to locate, a Quick Start team of experts is available to provide local support for any project.
Mike Anderson, Plant Manager at TenCate Protective Fabrics Finishing Plant in Upson County comments, “Flint River Technical College has been an integral part in helping the TenCate’s Finishing Plant reach new performance and profitability standards. The Certified Manufacturing Specialist Program has allowed many of our associates to gain a complete understanding of the manufacturing business process, enhancing their knowledge and commitment to the companies’ success. We are proud to be partnered with a college and program as strong as those offered through Quick Start.”
Bob Eagle, President and CEO of E7 Technologies, Inc in Thomaston, GA states, “The Georgia Quick Start program was one of the factors which weighed heavily on our decision to relocate our business to Georgia. The specialized training and training aids created for us helped us make a lasting impression on some of our largest customers. I believe the professional appearance of those training aids helped us “WOW!” our customers and increase our business.”
For more information on this year’s rankings, go to http://www.expansionmanagement.com/ and scroll down to the 2007 WORK FORCE TRAINING article. For more information on Quick Start, go to http://www.georgiaquickstart.org/ .
