Workforce Development
Project Purpose
Project Purpose is a workforce development initiative developed for high school seniors not interested in attending college right away, but looking for a full-time commitment following graduation.
In 2023, we hosted our first Project Purpose program in partnership with the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce and Believe Greater Dalton. We are excited to share a video highlighting the program and student success as we look forward to another great program this June. In 2024, every high school in Whitfield County Schools and Dalton Public Schools GA will be represented in the program. If you know a student graduating this May who does not plan to enroll in post-secondary education but seeks full-time employment opportunities after graduation, this program is for them.
Program Highlights:
• Project Purpose is for high school seniors who do not plan to enroll in post-secondary education
• Takes place June 3-13 from 9-5 pm at Georgia Northwestern Technical College.
• Project Purpose focuses on soft skills training, personal development, resume writing, interview prep, understanding finances like credit and health insurance, buying a car, understanding your paycheck, the importance of voting/voter registration, safety in the workplace, and quality control.
• GNTC college certificate will be provided in multi metering at NO cost to the participant; food also provided. This program is FREE of charge thanks to our sponsors and Tennessee Valley Authority Workforce Invest grant.
• The program goal is to give students the skills they need to transition successfully into adulthood and accept a full-time job at one of our leading industries.
• Sessions are led by industry and community leaders and college professors.
• Companies include: GEDIA Automotive, Q Cells, Shaw Industries, Mohawk Industries, Engineered Floors, Health One Alliant, Phenix Flooring, Essentia Protein Solutions
Adult Education
GNTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia that provides technical education to citizens throughout its nine-county service area across Northwest Georgia. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, GNTC offers a comprehensive range of associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Furthermore, through the Office of Economic Development, GNTC offers flexibility to employers by providing customized workforce training, both for immediate and future needs.
Most training offered through the Office of Economic Development is flexible, short-term, delivered anywhere, and non-credit. Non-credit means upon completing training, the student is not receiving a Technical Certificate of Credit, Technical Diploma, or Associate of Applied Science Degree—which are our accredited program awards—but instead receive a Certificate of Completion from GNTC, and in some cases, obtain an industry-recognized credential. Non-credit also means certain federal and state financial aid programs are not applicable.
Design, Engineering, Manufacturing Camp
Design, Engineering, Manufacturing Camp website
A Chamber-Sponsored Design, Engineering, and Manufacturing summer camp for Middle School students — rising 6th through 8th graders led by industry partners and sponsors.