Education

B2B Stories

Universities fueling the workforce pipeline for tourism and hospitality jobs

Travel, tourism, and hospitality are rebounding following a slump during the years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Augusta University and UGA are helping bump the numbers by offering training programs for those industries. A recent report from the University of Georgia (UGA), listed hospitality and tourism as the second largest contributor to the state’s economy. In 2022, there were nearly 168 million visitors generating $39.8 billion in direct visitor spending. That translates to $4.7 billion in state and local tax revenues. In Athens, the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel

Read More »
B2B Stories

$42 million to boost physician shortage challenges

The good news is that Georgia is growing. The bad news is the state has a huge shortage of doctors. Dr. David Hess, Dean of the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) made that point clear in his annual State of the College address. He said Georgia currently ranks 40th in the country in the number of primary care physicians. “All these counties, which are blue, or yellow are short, so there’s hardly any place that has enough physicians,” he said, using a slide to demonstrate the shortages. “And even worse,

Read More »
B2B Stories

National workforce training program headed to Augusta

A program created by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is coming to Augusta, one of just nine locations selected. The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce will partner with Augusta Technical College to select a cohort of adult learners of color who are underemployed or unemployed. The program will train them in an industry credential or degree. Details of the program are being worked out, but Sue Parr, President of the Augusta Metro Chamber, told ABD the first cohort will run for 18 months. “You know, it’s scary

Read More »
B2B Stories

ABD Correction of Goodwill Expansion on 15th/Walton Way

Letter to the Editor: The following was written by James K. Stiff, President, Goodwill of Middle Georgia & the CSRA, Helms College. Thank you for the recent coverage in the Augusta Business Daily on the revitalization of vacant buildings in Augusta, notably the transformation of a former drugstore into a new Goodwill retail training store on Walton Way. We appreciate your attention to the economic developments in our community and are thankful for the great quote from Mayor Johnson regarding the new human and economic energy Goodwill brings to the CSRA.

Read More »
B2B Stories

Education generates big bucks in Georgia

Latest figures released by the University of Georgia show the multi-billion dollar impact it has on the Peach State. A news release from the university said UGA’s economic impact in 2023 jumped to a record $8.1 billion. The figures released a year ago showed the university’s impact was $7.6 billion. The study measures the value of the school’s teaching, research, and public service. Among the reasons for the growth, the university cited an increase in students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, public service and outreach programs, and robust research

Read More »
B2B Stories

Summer camps target STEM students

Augusta Technical College is accepting applications for summer camps to help develop skills in the science, technology engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. The 2024 Immersion Virtual & Augmented Reality (VARiETy) Summer Camps for middle and high school students will be held in June. The camp for middle school students can engage younger children in developing skills that show career paths they may want to pursue when preparing to enter the workforce. High school students have long been the focus of programs, like dual enrollment opportunities with universities and technical colleges,

Read More »
B2B Stories

CSRA partnership adds housing education to JA Discovery Center

A partnership between REALTORS® of Greater Augusta, the Home Builders Association, and Habitat for Humanity will open another learning opportunity at the new Junior Achievement Discovery Center of the CSRA. As ABD reported earlier this month, the JA Discovery Center Junior Achievement will offer programs that focus on financial literacy, career readiness, and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit. The partnership between RGA, HBA, and Habitat for Humanity will provide middle school students with valuable insights into the housing industry. Through interactive sessions and engaging activities, students will gain practical knowledge about

Read More »
B2B Stories

Downtown stores host “Shopping for Scholars” tomorrow

“Shop till you drop” will take on a new meaning on Saturday, January 27, when several downtown stores partner with Westabou Montessori to raise money for the school’s scholarship fund. Many of Westabou’s 100 students receive financial aid and participating stores will contribute to the fund. Here is how it works: Shoppers can participate throughout the day, with a kickoff and live music at 1:00 pm at Humanitree House located at 305 8th St.  Between the hours of 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, shoppers can purchase a reusable shopping bag at

Read More »
B2B Stories

Former bank building again generating “interest”

Recently, Goodwill said welcome to the community. Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 19 for its new welcome center on the campus in West Augusta. The center is in the former Georgia Federal Bank building at Washington and Furys Ferry Road. The building is part of the former Village West Shopping Center that is now home to the Goodwill campus, including Helms College, the Job Connection, and Edgar’s Grille and Bakehouse. Jim Stiff, President of the 31 county local region, said the

Read More »
B2B Stories

Bigger commitment to boost workforce training

The education and training needed to create a skilled workforce remain a top priority in Georgia. Gov. Brian Kemp (R) recently announced a change to the College & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI), which is the state’s accountability system for schools. The changes, scheduled to take effect in 2025, are designed to promote high-demand career pathways, those that are aligned with an in-demand industry. “As the No. 1 state in the nation to do business, we have to prepare Georgians for the unprecedented opportunities coming our way, by equipping students

Read More »