Real Challenges

Demand for Healthcare Training

In 2005, Columbus Technical College was forced to turn away more than 50% of the applicants to our health science programs — all fully qualified!

Columbus Technical College has educated more than 1,000 healthcare professionals from 2003 to 2005, most of whom have chosen to remain and work in the Chattahoochee Valley. This is not enough graduates to fill the severe shortage in our community. A recent study showed Georgia will need an additional 20,000 nurses alone by 2012.

The industry demand for qualified healthcare employees is the equivalent of a major new economic development announcement creating thousands of new jobs over several years.

Columbus Technical College is positioned to be the leading supplier of trained employees for these healthcare businesses. The facilities at the College, however, are insufficient in number and design.

In today's environment, with state and federal budgets stretched to their limits, it has become apparent that new dollars for training, education programs, and new facilities are scarce. Improved facilities must come from other sources, including the private and corporate sectors.

Through the Tomorrow's Workforce... Today campaign, a health science facility will be constructed on the River Road campus. It will contain the same cutting-edge technology used by practicing professionals in an environment of teaching excellence. Through this new facility, Columbus Technical College will be able to double its current output of trained healthcare graduates and add exciting new programs of study, such as:

• Vascular Technology
• Orthopedic Technology
• Medical Laboratory Technology
• Mammography Technology
• Physical Therapy Assisting
• Nuclear Medicine Technology
• Neuromuscular Therapy Technology