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Mr. Jim Glass, who was named President of the Southern Regional Technical College and its four major campuses on July 1, 2019, spoke to the Bainbridge Rotary Club on Tuesday. He gave a complete rundown on the programs offered and the needs they answer.

The College serves eleven counties in South Georgia, offering free GED classes in 15 locations, along with 155 associate degrees, diplomas and certifications. They offer the same general curriculum coursework as other educators that can be transferred to other colleges and universities.

They are particularly strong on technical training and boast a 99 percent job placement for graduates across the system.  The importance of technical training is becoming more important. “There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t run into somebody who needs an electrician, needs a welder, an  HVAC technician or CNC operators.”

The college Quick Start Trainee program has 32,312 persons enrolled who are learning customized workforce training for new companies or expanding ones in the area. Glass said SRTC is proud to work with the new Taurus Company, aiding them in their new location in Bainbridge, and helping give specialized CNC training to their new workforce.

Glass pointed out the strong needs in Southwest Georgia for the various types of coursework offered, indicating the area has 35 to 45 percent of adults without a high school diploma, along with a poverty rate that exceeds 25%..

Another program that is experiencing a great deal of success and participation is the dual enrollment program being offered in cooperation with the local school systems.

They have 2000 students from 16 area high schools enrolled in that program. He explained it is not unusual for a student to graduate with a two-year associate degree from SRTC at the same time they graduate from high school.

Another advantage to attending SRTC for advanced education is the affordable cost of $100 per Credit Hour.

There is also scholarship money available from a Foundation that was begun in 1991, and since that time $116,550 has been awarded to students.

In total there are 151 programs of study offered through SRTC and the system-wide fall enrolment this year is 5,052.

“We are committed to Bainbridge,” assured Glass, who said they have spent funds on renovations of the campus buildings, while strongly supporting the economic development of the area through workforce development training.

People wanting to learn more about the programs and locations being offered to further the education of the area may consult https://southernregional.edu/.