WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Movers and shakers in the world of business, government and education met Thursday morning for another edition of Robins Regional Chamber’s “Eggs and Issues” series. This time, the event focused on the future of workforce development and the upward mobility of STEM related fields.
Once again, the event transpired in an interview format, moderated by Angie Gheesling, executive director for the Development Authority of Houston County. Multiple speakers during the event, representing area colleges and outreach programs, explained how they can help those interested in a science career achieve their dreams.
Speaking first during the interview was Middle Georgia State University (MGA) President Dr. Christopher Blake, on how he believes the university is looking towards the future and delivering students that contribute to what he called a “knowledge economy.”
“It’s quite evident that we need to be very creative and capable of adjusting how that knowledge is going to serve communities, businesses and the economy generally. Part of what Middle Georgia State has been aspiring to, is to figure out how the knowledge economy is changing and be accredited to be able to help deliver on that promise,” Blake said.
One of the accreditations obtained by the university is a level five, meaning the university is able to produce diverse students capable of leadership and advanced degrees, starting in high school, all the way through adulthood, and beyond, Blake explained.
“In truth, higher education is also about different stages of learning and human development and what is needed for humans who are participating in the knowledge economy,” Blake said.
With jobs being streamlined by technology, Blake said the forward-thinking university is adapting to this as well, speaking from prior experience, when e-mail became standardized.
“We’re still working, and what we need to do is be flexible and adaptable: to know what our work will look like in 20 years time, and how can we be ready,” Blake said.
Andrea Griner, vice president for economic development at Central Georgia Technical College, spoke next, answering a question about the Georgia Artificial Intelligence and Manufacturing grant, a $65 million grant funded through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. Middle Georgia will receive $4 million from the grant, according to the 21st Century Partnership.
Griner said CGTC will use around $1 million of grant money to fund a robotics manufacturing studio, leading to a 15-week long education program associated with the lab, at the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center.
The studio will be mainly composed of FANUC robots, primarily used for welding. Hands-on training with this technology will be invaluable to the veterans who use the VECTR Center to transition into the workforce, and the community, as Griner explained.
“It really is going to enhance their skill sets and really make them a key employee in not only manufacturing, but serving [Robins Air Force Base] and others. We’re excited to have this new program come online,” Griner said.
Gheesling added that Jack Links is one of the companies planning on using this technology. The first wave of the training program is expected to launch in October.
Bob Herrmann, executive director of the Middle Georgia STEM Alliance, is also involved with projects stemming from the GA-AIM grant, according to Gheesling, who invited him to speak on the efforts.
Herrmann first plugged in a scholarship program with area schools. Over the next four years, the alliance plans to give over $4 million in scholarships to students planning on attending middle Georgia colleges, in an effort to keep talented students local.
Herrmann also spoke on a dual-enrollment program with Houston County School District that allows interested students to explore studies in STEM fields, a topic also discussed by Griner later on at the event.
The more challenging program, according to Herrmann, is STEM camps for students, considering the program takes place outside of school hours as a main concern. Still determined, Mercer University and MGA have collaborated with the alliance to provide more classes in the months of April and May.
Another challenge is reaching students in their elementary school years — something Herrmann said is being addressed with programs from the Museum of Aviation’s National STEM Academy. Programs like this, he explained later, give minorities and underserved populations a chance to explore STEM fields as well, adding that the programs also provide mentorship and resources to teachers in planning their curriculum.
As the program moved on, Blake and Griner answered questions related to MGA and CGTC programs that prepare students for STEM fields, and are in tune with the industry, such as computer science at MGA and engineering technology, health sciences, aviation and aerospace at CGTC.
Blake also announced an upcoming community Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at MGA and Herrmann spoke on challenges in retaining the workforce in the area, saying that community involvement and selling middle Georgia to incoming workers as an ideal location to live, work and play is critical.
Finally, Robins Regional Chamber President and CEO April Bragg closed the event by highlighting the chamber’s Robins Works Job Fair, also taking place on Thursday. Look out for more information on that event in this edition of The Journal.
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