EXPANDED STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of Lanier Technical College (LTC) is to meet the workforce development needs of the area by providing technical and adult education to support the economic development and well-being of the people, communities, and companies of Banks, Barrow, Dawson, Forsyth, Hall, Jackson, and Lumpkin counties. LTC prepares people for successful work; therefore, the College plays a major role in their life-long education. It improves the intellectual and technical skills of area residents and prepares students and trainees for jobs by providing adult education, general academic and technical education, customized business and industrial training, economic development services, and continuing education.

The primary educational purpose of the College is to provide high quality technical certificate of credit, technical diploma, and associate degree programs to meet the needs of area students, employers, and economic developers. Technical education is offered using up-to-date instruction, industry-standard equipment, and work-based learning delivered through traditional and distance methods and media.

LTC's economic development programs provide customized training and other services for business and industry to help existing companies remain in the area and succeed and to stimulate new business start-ups. Quick Start training and services are provided to attract new companies to the area, to assist companies to expand, and to help existing companies to implement new technologies.

Adult education, including adult basic literacy, English literacy, and GED services, is provided to increase the literacy level of the workforce, prepare students to continue their education, and create a better quality of life. English Literacy services address the demand for English literacy instruction and family literacy services for immigrant parents. Adult education students are encouraged to increase their literacy levels, enroll in GED preparation classes, and transition into technical programs or other postsecondary education.

The College supports multiple-access, seamless instruction for all students and helps to remove socioeconomic barriers to education and obstacles between high school and further education. LTC helps diverse students reach their full potential by providing support services including admissions, student records, specialized instructional services, financial aid, and career placement services. LTC helps area schools in efforts to increase completion rates and collaborates with area high schools to offer dual enrollment technical college courses for high school students. Special instructional services provide job training to help individuals overcome welfare dependency.

LTC offers community services to expand educational opportunities for adults of all ages. These services include effective communications and recruitment efforts, a wide range of continuing education courses, and encouragement for communities to participate in the Certified Literate Community Program. The College seeks to play a significant role in civic and educational activities to enhance area communities.

The College offers effective management, a well-qualified internal workforce, and current information systems and technology. LTC strives to acquire, maintain, and manage adequate and sufficient human, physical, technical, and financial resources to provide the most effective services possible. LTC uses efficient operations and sound management in all functions to support the College's ability to achieve its goals.

Lanier Technical College (LTC) will be recognized as the foremost resource for workforce development and job growth in our communities. The College will respond to community development needs and anticipate labor-market demands by offering programs that will produce well-qualified job candidates for businesses and industries where there are job opportunities for our graduates. The College will continue working to meet demands for technical professionals in healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and other strategic industries. The College will continue to work with education, business, industry, government entities, community partners, and individuals to plan and implement technical and adult education programs and services that promote economic development through workforce development. The College will play a prominent role in stimulating and supporting the growth of companies, development of communities, and employment of residents in our service area.

LTC will create a multiple-access educational continuum for those aspiring to careers in technical professions. The College will strengthen partnerships with high schools, home school groups, apprenticeship programs, professional associations, industry certification agencies, colleges, and universities to connect, articulate, and transfer credit among educational levels. Area residents who are 16 years of age or older will have opportunities to enter educational programs at the level they need, when, where, and how they need them; and after entering jobs or other pursuits, to re-enter educational programs for further education and training. This accessible educational continuum will support multiple job opportunities in entry-level, advanced, and encore careers.

LTC will offer a supportive, student-friendly learning environment. The College will help to increase individual educational attainment and community enrichment throughout the service area by making it simple and easy to enter programs. The College will strive to improve student retention, educational achievement, and career success in all credit and noncredit programs. The College will ensure that access to higher education is easily, equally, and affordably available for all students by implementing broad-based educational advisement, career guidance, and individualized support services to help students overcome educational barriers and become successful learners.

LTC will be widely recognized as the foremost provider of healthcare and energy workforce training in northeast Georgia and will support Georgia's other current and emerging strategic industries with training and services. The College will offer training for small business and entrepreneurship, manufacturing, biosciences, tourism, and other industries. The College will broaden technical education and training options to reflect the current and future needs of business and industry in our area. Offerings will include high-demand credit, noncredit, and customized programs; programs in emerging fields of study; on-site, hybrid, and online instruction; and other innovative programs.

LTC will strive to provide ever-improving collegiate quality, and to increase capacity to match student and business demands. The College will strive for efficiency and effectiveness and will continuously improve learning outcomes by conducting research, assessment, analysis, evaluation, faculty and staff professional development, planning, budgeting, external evaluation and accreditation/certification, and institutional efficiency and effectiveness monitoring.