Workforce Solutions
Greater Columbus Georgia provides existing and prospective employers with a community rich with skilled workers. Located approximately 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, Greater Columbus has a labor shed of more than 250,000 people. Workforce partners like Columbus Tech and Columbus State work directly with employers to create programs designed to train people quickly. The TYSY Center for Cybersecurity was born out of this collaboration.
The region also boasts extremely competitive wages and a sustained pipeline of talent thanks to the presence of several colleges and universities, including Columbus Tech and Columbus State University. These strengths are projected to propel the creation of more than 5,000 jobs throughout the region over the next decade.
“Our students have a good work ethic. These are the people you want working for you.” - Martha Ann Todd, President, Columbus Technical College
"Columbus State University understands the needs of employers." - Dr. Stuart Rayfield, President, Columbus State University
"We serve non-traditional students and the spirit of community in Columbus is incredible!" - Dionne Rosser-Mims, Vice Chancellor, Troy University
Hire Transitioning Service Members While the Army Pays their Salaries
The region is also home to Fort Benning and the Maneuver Center of Excellence, which has approximately 40,000 military personnel, contractors and civilians working at the installation every day. Fort Benning is the intellectual center for the Infantry, Armor and Cavalry Maneuver forces as well as one of the Army's premier training facilities. Some 10,000 individuals exit their military service from Fort Benning each year, providing the region with a steady supply of well-trained, work-ready employees. Through the SkillBridge program companies can hire service members transitioning to a civilian career, with the Army continuing to pay their salary during the training period.
Millions Are Being Invested in Workforce Training in Columbus, Georgia
Columbus Technical College has broken ground on the Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. VECTR Workforce Development Center - a transformative hub for workforce development, career training, and veteran support services in the region. Transitioning services members, veterans and their families will have access to short-term technical and training programs to accelerate their transition into civilian careers - thanks to a new workforce development center at Columbus Technical College. The center is one of many programs designed to train the workforce in Columbus - including service members transitioning out of Fort Benning.
Choose Columbus, Columbus Technical College, and community partners are developing a new Aviation Maintenance Technician Program to support the continued growth of the aviation industry in the Columbus region. Pratt & Whitney, McCauley Propeller Systems, and the Columbus Airport will have improved access to skilled aviation technicians that can inspect, maintain, and repair aircraft. “The aviation industry in Columbus needs more aviation technicians - as does the rest of the country. Choose Columbus and our partners are proactively working to meet this demand,” said Andy Hilmes, Brig Gen (Ret), EVP Strategy. “We take a collaborative approach in Columbus and I encourage companies to contact me to discuss their training and hiring needs. If a program doesn't exist - we can work to create one.”
Contact Choose Columbus for information on how your business can leverage local workforce training programs and incentives.