It may be the lazy, hazy days of summer, but energy is high at Gwinnett Technical College where summer enrollment is up 19 percent over last year. Classes for the quarter began July 1 with 3,511 students registered.//
It may be the lazy, hazy days of summer, but energy is high at Gwinnett Technical College where summer enrollment is up 19 percent over last year. Classes for the quarter began July 1 with 3,511 students registered.
The number of students taking fulltime course loads also increased significantly, up 35 percent over summer quarter a year ago. The strong enrollment increase continues a trend of double-digit hikes recorded at Gwinnett Tech over the last five quarters.
"We're delighted that increasing numbers of students are turning to Gwinnett Tech for their education and career training. The value of the higher education is unquestionable, and in these times of economic concerns, having the most up-to-date and in-demand training is even more crucial," says Dave McCulloch, vice president, recruitment and marketing, Gwinnett Tech.
The largest enrollment increases were recorded in programs that prepare students for careers in IT, business and education, including these specific programs:
• Computer Programming Up 70 percent
• Internet/Web Site Design Up 45 percent
• Early Childhood Education Up 41 percent
• Business Management Up 33 percent
• Networking Specialist Up 29 percent
• Accounting Up 24 percent
The healthcare sector – one of the area's fastest growing career fields – continues to be strongly represented and served at Gwinnett Tech. The college's Health Sciences program encompasses 28 percent of total enrollment. The college offers nine Health Sciences programs, including nursing, bioscience, surgical technology, radiologic technology, respiratory care, dental assisting, dental laboratory technology, medical assisting and medical office technology. A new Life Sciences Building at the college, included in the state budget for this year, will ultimately increase Gwinnett Tech's ability to accept and train more healthcare professionals.
Earlier this week, Gwinnett Tech announced the addition of an associate degree nursing program and will begin accepting applications for the program August 1. Gwinnett Tech is also an active part of efforts to bring additional life sciences and biotech companies to the area, educating workers for these employers through its Georgia Bioscience Technology Institute, a collaboration with Athens Tech.
Gwinnett Tech offers the associate of applied science degree, diploma and certificate options in more than 45 programs that students can complete in two years or less. GTC is the state's largest technical college when credit enrollment, continuing education enrollment and adult education enrollment are combined.
For more information about any of Gwinnett Tech's programs, contact 770-962-7580 or visit www.gwinnetttech.edu.
Get the latest news about Gwinnett Tech www.gwinnetttech.edu/news .
A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.