GNTC celebrates Industrial Career Day 2021 in Dalton

October 6, 2021
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High school students in the northwest Georgia region had a chance to speak with representatives of Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) industrial programs about the benefits of learning a skilled trade during Industrial Career Day on Friday, Oct. 1, at the Whitfield Murray Campus in Dalton.

The day was held to expose students to the many possibilities for future employment in the skilled workforce.

“Being able to safely host an event of this magnitude is a game changer for the students, their families and our area high schools,” said Jason Gamel, director of recruitment at GNTC. “It helps them learn more about our industrial programs, while they work towards decisions on their future.”

Approximately 400 people, including high school students from Calhoun High School, Dade County High School, Dalton Academy High School, Dalton High School, Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy, Northwest Whitfield High School, Phoenix High School and Southwest Whitfield High School attended the event.

Industrial program directors were on-hand to discuss their programs and provide tours of their labs. There were demonstrations, simulators and hands-on learning activities for the industrial programs offered by GNTC.

“Being able to make your way through these times can be a challenge,” said Gamel. “At GNTC we are successfully helping these students lock in on their future, be essential and make a difference.”

Turner Jenkins of Northwest Whitfield High School examines the lighting system in the Diesel Equipment Technology lab during Industrial Career Day at GNTC.
Turner Jenkins of Northwest Whitfield High School examines the lighting system in the Diesel Equipment Technology lab during Industrial Career Day at GNTC.

The industrial labs are housed side by side on Industrial Row on the Whitfield Murray Campus. This provided a centralized location with access to all of the industrial labs on the Dalton campus. Additional industrial programs from other GNTC campuses set up booths outside with activities, games, demonstrations and literature relevant to their programs.

Featured GNTC industrial programs included Automation Engineering Technology, Automotive Technology, Construction Management, Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Systems Technology, Flooring Production Technician, Industrial Systems Technology, Precision Machining and Manufacturing and Welding and Joining Technology.

This was the first of two Industrial Career Days of the year. The second Industrial Career Day will be held on the Floyd County Campus in Rome on Oct. 29.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 11,820 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,591 students and an additional enrollment of 3,229 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start. GNTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and an Equal Opportunity Institution.

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