January 27, 2020
The Technical College System of Georgia’s new Commissioner, Greg Dozier, toured Lanier Technical College’s Hall Campus and experienced first-hand the innovative, educational facilities and dedicated faculty at the College. As Commissioner Dozier settles into his new duties as the head of Georgia’s 22 technical colleges, he is visiting colleges under his charge. Lanier Tech is the second college that Commissioner Dozier has visited, since beginning his duties on January 1, 2020.
Touring through the James A. Walters Allied Health Building, Commissioner Dozier saw how the College’s simulation mannequins are used to train a variety of Allied Healthcare students including Nursing, Paramedicine, and many other of the College’s healthcare programs. Simulation mannequins are state-of-the-art for hands-on, non-human training in the healthcare industry. Lanier Tech’s “sims” are remotely programmable and provide as close to a life-like scenario as is possible in today’s healthcare needs. “Sims” even travel in the College’s ambulance giving first-responders a life-like scenario, as they treat and transport the sim patient for advanced care.
The College’s Kubota Technical and Industrial Building houses some of Lanier Tech’s most, in-demand, high-tech programs including Precision Manufacturing, Welding and Joining, and two of the newest programs– Diesel Equipment Technology and Marine Engine Technology. Marine Engine Technology is only one of its kind in the state. Commissioner Dozier talked with Diesel Equipment Technology Instructor, Lon Phillips, about the new Diesel Equipment lab and the high demand for skilled professionals to support economic growth in the state.
Dr. Ray Perren, President of Lanier Technical College, noted, “We are thrilled to welcome Commissioner Dozier to Lanier Technical College. It was a pleasure to have him visit our Hall Campus and to show him all of the great things our faculty and staff are doing to support our students through our mission of workforce development. Our entire Lanier Tech team truly believes in our workforce development mission, and they believe in our students. The success that we have at Lanier Tech is a direct attribute of what the employees do, and how they believe in and help our students.”
Lanier Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing Department provides customized, industry training to support a wide variety of companies, including several internationally known brands. Joey Watkins, the Lead Instructor, explained the innovative Processor Logic Controller (PLC) manufacturing line trainer used to teach troubleshooting and repair to Commissioner Dozier. The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center has trained personnel from as far away as Wyoming. Watkins explained that speedy troubleshooting of a PLC manufacturing line is critical to companies, as “downtime on the line” can translate into thousands of dollars per minute in lost revenue. PLC lines are central to many manufacturing companies, such as King’s Hawaiian, in the College’s service area.
Commissioner Dozier told a group of Lanier Tech’s faculty, “Everyone knows that education is the key to success, and any time that you can get someone engaged and involved, it helps with their success. We (TCSG colleges) are a special organization. People come here looking for a skill, but they leave with skill and knowledge, and that’s powerful.”
Lanier Technical College has a 100 percent job placement rate five out seven years in a row. The College offers over 50 programs of study in some of the nation’s fastest-growing career fields including healthcare, energy, business and industry, and public or private service. Lanier Technical College is a Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. For more information about Lanier Technical College, visit www.laniertech.edu or phone 770-533-7000.
