Georgia Trade Schools and College Training Programs

According to online research, over the next several years Georgia is projected to have 49-58 % of their available jobs that will require individuals to possess some level of a post secondary degree. Of course, the higher level of a college degree that you complete, the higher you can expect your rate of pay to be. In addition, as with any state, the amount of salary that you can expect will largely depend on the field that you decide to focus your studies on. On the opposite end of this spectrum, only about 11-17 % of available jobs will be attainable by individuals who did not finish their high school graduation requirements. These statistics alone should verify the importance of obtaining a solid educational background so that you can adequately compete in today's highly competitive work force.

One of the first post secondary schools that you will want to consider is the Georgia Institute of Technology. Located in Atlanta, this public research based university currently has about 20,000 students enrolled. At this school you will have the option to pursue an undergraduate degree program or a graduate level degree program. As far as notable accomplishments go, Georgia Tech is well recognized as being a top engineering school, in addition to holding a place as one of our country's top public universities. For women who are looking for a small setting with which to complete their educational requirements, perhaps they should consider Agnes Scott College. With a current enrollment of less than 1,000 students, this learning institution is noted for a small nine to one student to faculty ratio. Located in Decatur, which is near Atlanta, you can expect this college to offer females strong degree programs in the areas of science and liberal arts. In addition, Agnes Scott College has received recognition for being one of the top women's colleges in the United States.

Another viable option for prospective students is Emory University, which is located in Atlanta. A current online statistic shows that Emory University has about 13,000 students enrolled; close to half of these are working at an undergraduate degree level. Other notable attributes of Emory University are: a very selective admissions process for interested students, strong research programs, one of the country's best universities, and exemplary degree programs in the sciences and liberal arts. Mercer University is yet another great choice in the state of Georgia that you will definitely want to check out! This private university is located in Macon and is home to approximately 7,600 students.

At Mercer University, students will have the option to complete an undergraduate level degree program as well as a graduate level degree program. It is important to note that this highly ranked master's level university is also known for the majority of their students receiving financial aid. Morehouse College, which is located in Atlanta, is a great collegiate choice strictly for males. In fact, this private university is actually known as a historically black liberal arts college for men. Although this learning institution is well known for its strong degree programs in the sciences and the liberal arts, there is certainly a particular emphasis within the curriculum on volunteerism and leadership. It is important to note that only undergraduate level degree programs are available at this post secondary institution.

If art is your thing, then you will definitely want to look through what Savannah College of Art and Design has to offer. With degree programs at the undergraduate and the graduate level, this private art school is highly ranked in our country. In addition to its main campus in Savannah, Savannah College of Art and Design also has campuses in Hong Kong and France. As a prospective student to this institution you can expect to receive a solid curriculum that is grounded in the area of the liberal arts, as well as in fine arts.

One final benefit to note is that the majority of students who choose to attend this facility are typically able to receive financial aid, which helps to defray the overall costs. The final collegiate option that I will mention is a somewhat different type of educational institution. Oglethorpe University, which is located in Atlanta, is classified as a private liberal arts college. Primarily attended by undergraduate students, this university is recognized as the home of the Georgia Shakespeare theatre. In addition, prospective students will have the option to self - design their majors, which can even be in an interdisciplinary format.

 

Colleges in Georgia

The state has over 80 colleges to choose from and another 75+ vocational schools. It is home to the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Emory University, Clark Atlanta University, Clayton State University in Morrow and others. Most of the schools offer degree programs ranging from Associate’s degrees to MBA’s. The different degree programs they offer including areas in: Arts and Design, Business, Communication, Computer Technology, Culinary Arts, Healthcare and Nursing, Liberal arts and Psychology.

 

What are the Best Careers in Georgia

Georgia has some great traditional colleges but also these schools recently have really moved to offer online degrees for those who either don’t have the time or can’t attend a traditional school setting. Trade schools in Georgia offer a wide variety of programs designed to serve the needs of the job openings of the state. Below are just some of the top areas.

Digital Design – The world of design is mostly digital these days and individuals that are attending school are being taught on to design online using state of the art software programs. Career training in animation, graphic design and website development can all be learned with a short term training program from any qualified trade school. Many of employers will want their designers to be able to work with clients and provide designs and guidance based on the project goals.
Medical – The medical industry like in most states is big in Georgia and with unemployment rates high the medical field is one of the more stable industries. Over 63% of the state is considered overweight or obese and 25% smoke. Areas in the field that seem to have the most openings are in dental assistant, medical assistant, massage therapy as well as front office medical assistant

Trade – Jobs such as those in HVAC, electrical and construction are all career s that require a minimal amount of training in order to qualify for a job. Many of the vocational schools in the state offer hands-on training programs that range from 9 to 18 months. Some of the trades require you receive licensing and or take special tests and have the appropriate number of training hours. HVAC schools are found in Marietta, Atlanta, Norcross and Savannah.

Culinary – If you want a great career, one where you have the freedom to work at different locations and even take your craft to different states and even countries then you might be interested in culinary arts. Many of these programs offered will cover topics such as deserts, pastry, breads and even farm to table.

Computers – The technology sector in Georgia is well below the national average in terms of companies that not only are in the state but the number of college graduates that have earned their network engineering, programming or information technology degree. The good news is for those interested in getting into the industry the companies that are hiring are paying well for qualified individuals, especially those with cyber security training.

Business – Business training used to be only obtained by earning a degree but now schools are offering certificate programs and short-term training for areas in: accounting, management and even search marketing.

Georgia Employment and Economy

Georgia has over 5.3 million workers in their workforce with 37% of those graduating with at least an Associate’s degree. This number does not represent the hundreds of thousands that have opted to receive their training from a trade school or vocational school. So many jobs are available that simply don’t require the individual to earn a college degree but have hands-on experience that can only be done at a trade school. In terms of total population, George has a very high graduation rate when it comes to high school diplomas with 28% of the state graduating from high school and only 4% of the population with an education of less than 9th grade.

The top counties with the highest level of education including Chatham County, Cobb County, Coweta County, Forsyth County, Gwinnett, Bulloch, Cherokee, DeKalb and Fayette County.

 

Top 5 Job Sectors in Georgia

Administrative Support – The average pay is $36,330, however the top 10% earn $57,950 according to the BLS. These roles make up 600,000 jobs in the state. Several of the job categories that fall under administrative support including: communications, hospitality, human resource managers, postal workers and general office administrators (secretaries).

Sales – Sales positions in Georgia make up about a half a million jobs in the state. Sales jobs can be anything ranging from auto loans and insurance agents to real estate sales and travel agents. Most of the time you can qualify for the job after you are trained at a trade school and typically a degree isn’t necessary.

Restaurant/Food Preparation – This sector accounts for over 300,000 jobs in the state. Careers in this field include culinary chefs, cooks, bartenders and food service managers. The state has several top culinary arts schools that individuals can attend.

Transportation – The need for employees to handle positions at airports as well as the exporting of goods in the state is what makes this sector the 4th largest in the state. CDL truck drivers, airline pilots, flight attendants and ship yard workers are just some of the jobs that help commerce move in Georgia. CDL licenses are typically obtained by attending classes that last less than 2 months.

Education – Education for the state is priority #1 and Georgia spends a great deal of money each year in their budget making sure their children have the best facilities and learning environment. Becoming a teacher in Georgia requires a four year degree from an accredited school before you can be issued your teachers license. The average pay in this sector is $42,500 per year and it makes up 250,000+ jobs.

 

Georgia Career Resources:

https://dol.georgia.gov/get-occupational-trends