Economic Development Center Information

Southeastern Tech's Economic Development Division has multiple programs to offer business, industry, and the citizens of its eight (8) county service delivery area. The Economic Development Center in Vidalia, the Larry J. "Butch" Parrish Technology Center in Swainsboro, and multiple other sites throughout our local area provide comfortable space, the latest equipment, and experienced instructors to ensure effective and enjoyable workforce training.

Economic Development

Southeastern Tech's Economic Development division promotes and supports the overall mission of Southeastern Tech through community-based extension and outreach services. The program is an avenue for identifying the needs of the communities within Southeastern Tech's service area and for pinpointing ways to meet those needs. An overall economic development and community education plan coordinates the delivery of industry programs and the articulation to the community of the services available through the institution.

Services include continuing education and customized programs to meet an organization's specific needs, and other community-based programs.

The focus of Economic Development is to stay abreast of new technology and to implement innovative training that meets diverse and rapidly changing needs.

Industry Training/Condulting

Training is provided to local companies in order to update the work skills of employees. Retraining to accommodate new technology or world class manufacturing methods introduced into the workplace is available.

Many of the training opportunities focus on maintenance skills and total productive maintenance concepts. Other areas of training include customized computer workshops. The training is available either in our on-campus labs or at the company. Other industry specific courses can also be developed to meet the specifications of the company.

Consulting may be needed to develop comprehensive task analyses of maintenance jobs. This consulting results in legally sound performance and prescriptive training. For more information, contact the Vice President of Economic Development Programs at (912) 538-3197.

Small Business Start-up and Expansion Assistance

A majority of business and industry in Southeastern Tech's service delivery area originates locally from entrepreneurs who start their own businesses. Southeastern Tech offers its entrepreneurial students and small business owners within the community assistance with small business start-up and expansion. Contact the Vice President of Economic Development Programs at (912) 538-3197 for more information.

Conference and Catering

Conference rooms, computer labs, classrooms, and catering capabilities are available to businesses, industries, and agencies to hold their own business meetings. Economic development staff will assist with planning and coordination of meetings and training programs.

Continuing Education

Continuing education courses are developed in response to special educational demands and requests of citizens, professional and business groups, and other organizations. The major role of continuing education is to develop and implement courses for career and professional development and personal interest and enrichment. A regular schedule of class dates is published.

Continuing education courses are offered in an informal and non-competitive setting. Usually, there are no grades, exams, or prerequisites. Admission to the school is not required. However, advance registration into the class is required.

For more information, including a list of courses, contact the Continuing Education Coordinator at (912) 538-3258.

Quick Start

Quick Start offers quality training as an incentive to new businesses in our service area. Existing industries undergoing major expansion may also qualify. It offers customized technical training, instructor training, instructional and media development, training materials and equipment, and facilities for training.

The project director works with company personnel to analyze training needs and develop the training plan agreement. Ongoing training at a reasonable cost is offered following the start-up or expansion in order to maintain initial training momentum. Quick Start is internationally known for providing effective customized training that responds to the need to keep and increase jobs for Georgia. For information, contact the Vice President of Economic Development Programs at (912) 538-3197.