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Advanced Manufacturing

Overview

Georgia is home to many advanced manufacturing companies. The continued success of these companies requires an investment in cutting-edge equipment and systems; however, the need for investment does not stop with the new purchase. To achieve success and maximize technology, companies must also have the right people with the right skills. Georgia understands this and has responded to ensure the industry's talent pool can operate and maintain the equipment and systems that drive industrial growth. Georgia Work Ready Regions are linking education and workforce development through career pathways that graduate students prepared to fill these jobs.

Additionally, Georgia's Manufacturing Center of Innovation provides facilities, equipment, training and support services to help advanced manufacturing companies start up and grow.

Economic and Workforce Outlook

The Selig Center for Economic Growth at the Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, publishes an annual Economic Outlook. The 2009 edition has been released and includes an economic and workforce forecast for Georgia's manufacturing industry (Download document). The summary predicts some challenges for the industry in 2009; however, the opening of the Kia Motor Company plant in West Georgia, the opening of the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., and the expansion of market share by the Georgia ports all provide excellent opportunities. In addition, food manufacturing is expected to strengthen over the next year.

Above are the occupations needed for an automotive manufacturing plant and the number of people graduating from a relevant program in Georgia.

Education and Training

In Georgia, we understand that advanced manufacturing companies need several key positions to create initial success and drive future growth. Georgia's education system, coupled with Work Ready Certificates, provide this pipeline of workers. The state is home to 22 public colleges and universities, 32 private four-year colleges, two community colleges and 33 technical colleges. Unique manufacturing education assets include the state's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and the Manfacturing Research Center, both housed at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Georgians may earn a Certified Manufacturing Specialist Certificate at all technical colleges to prepare for entry-level jobs. Georgians can take advantage of Georgia College 411 to explore advanced manufacturing careers, select a college, prepare for the SAT and ACT, plan high school courses and learn about financial aid. Georgia's HOPE Program provides scholarships and grants that reward students with financial assistance in degree, diploma and certificate programs at eligible state public and private colleges and universities, and public technical colleges.

Georgia's colleges and universities also provide continuing education and Work Ready assessments that ensure students are ready for flexible, customized training. Quick Start, the state's nationally recognized job training program, provides customized training for new and expanding businesses at no cost. The Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAAP), an economic development program of the University System of Georgia, brings together education and business and provides short-term training programs.

Georgia Advanced Manufacturing Work Ready Regions

Five regions in the state have gone even further by becoming Work Ready Regions, multiple counties that are bringing together their assets and leaders to create regional talent pools targeting advanced manufacturing to increase economic development opportunities.

The state's four advanced manufacturing Work Ready Regions are:

Heart of Georgia Advanced Manufacturing Work Ready Region

(Bleckly, Dodge, Johnson, Laurens, Telfair, Treutlen, Wheeler and Wilkinson Counties)

Northwest Georgia Advanced Manufacturing Work Ready Region

(Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Paulding, Pickens, Polk and Walker Counties)

West Georgia Advanced Manufacturing Work Ready Region

(Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, Talbot, Troup and Upson Counties)

Chattahoochee Valley Advanced Manufacturing Work Ready Region

(Chattahoochee, Harris, Muscogee, Marion, Quitman, Stewart, Taylor)

Wiregrass Advanced Manufacturing Work Ready Region

(Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Coffee, Irwin, Jeff Davis, and Wilcox Counties)

More detailed information about Georgia's advanced manufacturing assets, workforce strengths, education and training, and community partnerships are contained within the site. This is valuable information for those companies seeking to expand or relocate their operations to the state.

Improve your Skills. Hire the Best. Get started with Work Ready.

You can access Work Ready tools and info in every Georgia county. Learn how to:

Schedule a Work Ready assessment
Access gap training to improve your level
Inquire about a Work Ready job profile