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David Taylor and Kevin Corbin, instructors for the Criminal Justice Program at Heart of Georgia Technical College, presented a program on “Crime Awareness for Seniors.”  Approximately 35 people attended the free informational session.  Pictured is David Taylor presenting to the group.

Best Buy
Work Ready Testimonial

      Consumer electronics retail giant Best Buy depends on hard-working middle Georgians every day at its distribution center located in Dublin, Ga., one of seven across the U.S. that support the retail store network. And to ensure its current employees and new hires have the skills necessary for success, Best Buy uses Georgia’s Work Ready initiative to profile its warehousing jobs and to assess the skill level of current employees, resulting in better performance all around. Best Buy’s competitive edge is based on employees, who are the center of focus for the management team at the distribution center in Dublin.
      General warehouse workers represent about 90 percent of the employee population at the Dublin distribution center. The facility receives inbound freight from several different carriers and origins, then combines outbound freight into full truckloads destined for individual stores. The center saves costs by combining merchandise into full truckloads to send to stores while still meeting inventory needs.
     “Our system requires that we be able to fulfill store needs with very little lead time,” said human resource manager Karen Sikes. “Today what we are selecting for each store will be delivered tomorrow. The employees are responsible for and involved with this daily process, and they have to understand how their role impacts meeting the end customers’ needs.”
      Best Buy’s warehousing jobs require employees to be able to locate freight and merchandise, understand and process paperwork, operate radio frequency guns to identify containers and efficiently move products out the door to retail locations. “Half of what people do here every day is locating,” Sikes said. “The other 50 percent is bringing product in from our vendors and directing it to the location where it will be later selected to replenish inventory at our retail stores.”
      The company developed a baseline understanding of the skills required by profiling its warehousing job, using an expert job profiler from Heart of Georgia Technical College. Then, to encourage employees to determine their own skill level by taking the Work Ready assessment, Best Buy offered cash incentives for gold and platinum certifications.  “We’re investing in our employees, using Work Ready as a development tool and providing opportunities for them to develop current skills to get ahead,” Sikes said. “We’ve encouraged our employees to become a part of this initiative. And if they elect to participate and take the assessment, we are giving a $200 bonus for platinum-level certification and $100 for gold-level certification as incentives.”
      Employees choose whether or not to reveal their assessment results. “We didn’t want the employees in any way to think that a low assessment would be used against them,” she said. And employees and job seekers alike can boost their certification levels thanks to free gap training available at Heart of Georgia Technical College.
      As a major retailer, Best Buy hires seasonal temporary workers in all its operations, including distribution centers, often with the help of a temporary staffing agency. The Dublin facility will require all seasonal
workers coming through its employment agency to have a Work Ready Certificate. And full-time, permanent jobs are now Work Ready Preferred, which means Work Ready Certified candidates get top priority.
       Sikes expects to see increased productivity, safety and quality as a result of implementing Work Ready — not to mention happier employees. “The employees are really excited about the opportunity to get some free training to increase their skill levels,” Sikes said. “We are trying to raise the bar in the facility for everyone to reach the next level. We see Work Ready as a tool to help empower employees to be self-sufficient and self-managing in their work — to know what the volume of the work is, to come in and plan and execute all daily tasks to serve our customers, our retail partners, in a more effective and efficient manner. ”
      For more information on how your company can participate in Work Ready, visit www.gaworkready.org.

HGTC Allied Health program expanding

              When the Allied Health Program at Heart of Technical College moves into its new state of the art facility in the fall, new programs will be added to meet the growing needs in the community.

              The reputation of the Allied Health program at HGTC is well known throughout the state for recognizing healthcare needs and meeting those needs through quality education. Their commitment to excellence in education will continue as they grow, “Our vision is to recognize the needs in healthcare and strive to meet them through education. We are committed to small classes, keeping the teacher-student ratio where the teachers can know each of their students and the students don’t feel like a number. We also want to be pacesetters in faculty credentialing and we would like to be focused on the globalization of healthcare, not just on local issues,” says Department Chair Sylvia Rozier.

              The addition of the Surgical Technology Diploma is one way the department is adapting to current needs, “Program Director Diane Wooten has years of experience as a Surgical Tech and brings lots of practical knowledge to the program. Ray Powers will be serving as the Program Director for Paramedic Technology. Ray has an extensive background in emergency medical service.”

              Allied Health currently offers two associate degree programs, an Applied Science in Radiologic Technology degree and an Applied Science in Respiratory Care Technology degree. Diploma programs include Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, Practical Nursing, and Radiologic Technology in addition to the new Paramedic and Surgical Technology diplomas.

              According to Rozier, the department is interested in developing more Technical Certificates of Credit. They currently offer EMT Intermediate and Patient Care Assisting certificates.

              All of the allied health programs provide classroom instruction and laboratory experience. Clinical practice is included in each program giving the student the opportunity to obtain the education needed and highest-level skills in their course of study.

              Careers in healthcare are some of the fastest growing in the nation. For more information on careers and education in healthcare contact HGTC at 478-275-6589 or visit their website, www.heartofgatech.edu.

Copenny sets example of service for students

              For Jacqueline Copenny, serving as Department Chair for Business Technology at Heart of Georgia Technical College is an opportunity to teach her students the skills necessary for making a career and to be an example of giving back to the community through service.

              Copenny joined the HGTC staff in 1984, right out of college. She holds  Bachelor and Master degrees in Business Administration and is currently working on her Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership. While a student at West Laurens High School and during her years of attending Georgia College, she worked with the VA Medical Center and the Dublin City Manager.

              While Copenny’s experience and education have given her the tools to instruct and direct her students, her heart for service has given her the desire to help her community and church. Her unique abilities and compassion won her the award of Teacher of the Year for HGTC and have given her many chances to serve others. She was selected Chairman of Business Technology in 2004.

              As a graduate of Leadership Dublin-Laurens, Copenny has served on the board and was elected president for the year 2007-2008. She was chosen for the Georgia Leadership program in 2005.

              Copenny is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Dublin Laurens Alumnae Chapter where she currently serves as president. Through Delta Sigma Theta, she has worked with Habitat for Humanity, voter registration, Women in Need of God’s Shelter, and The Delta Academy, an academy for Delta Gems, at risk teenage girls.

              At HGTC, Copenny served with Phi Beta Lambda, a nonprofit education association devoted to helping students prepare for careers in business and business-related fields. She has formerly served as local chapter advisor and president of the alumni division. Copenny has also been active at the college by serving on many committees.

              Copenny is a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where she has worked on several committees. She has been a member of the choir and an usher and served as Assistant Secretary and Reporter for the church.

              Copenny’s one child, Dav’El attends Georgia Southern University where he is a junior studying Psychology. Her poodle, Princess, keeps her company while Dav’El is at college. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing and inspirational reading. She collects thoughts for the day and inspirational sayings.

              A dedicated educator, Copenny looks for ways to inspire her students to greatness in the classroom and in the community. Her example of caring for others through service is a challenge to her students and all those around her.

Dr. Randall Peters, president, Heart of Georgia Technical College, is shown presenting schools supplies and donations to Amy Thomas, executive director of the Area Residence for Kids (ARK).  HGTC faculty, staff, and students collected the supplies. 

Allied Health Chair passes on heart of healthcare to students

              Sylvia Rozier is passionate about her career. As Department Chair for Allied Health at Heart of Georgia Technical College, she enjoys kindling that same passion for healthcare in her students. Her education and experience in nursing set the background for a love of patients and their families.

              A graduate of West Laurens High School, Rozier attained her license in Practical Nursing and worked at Claxton Hospital and Laurens Memorial Hospital. She gained experience through working in a local office and the Veterans Center. After completing her education to become a Registered Nurse, she went on to work at Houston Medical Center, with a nursing agency, and Memorial Hospital in Savannah in thoracic and open-heart surgery. “My experience at Memorial made me the nurse I am today. Nobody knew me there. All they knew me by was my nursing skills; that experience made me a strong nurse.”

              Rozier chose to enter education when she realized the need for nurses to know the heart of healthcare, “When I was at Memorial, I saw students from several different schools. What I realized is that no one was teaching them the passion of nursing. They learned procedure and skills, but they weren’t being taught to recognize the person and then the disease. That’s my love, to know the person and then we’ll deal with what’s going on. I realized I can make a difference in the lives of a group of students who can go out and make that difference.”

              Rozier has been working with HGTC for nineteen years. She was recently chosen Department Chair of Allied Health following former Chair, Dr. Claire Livingston. “Dr. Livingston gave me the guidance and preparation to step into this role. I have a great appreciation and admiration for Dr. Livingston. The most important thing she taught was how to build people up and how to enjoy the lives of people as we go.”

For Rozier, the most rewarding thing to her is to see students who come in without skills and can’t find jobs leave 15 months later with skills and are turning down jobs. Rozier was honored by her peers by being selected “Instructor of the Year” for the state of Georgia in 1999.

              As Chair of the department, Rozier still has the opportunity to teach fifteen hours a week in the classroom, “To be an effective leader at the chair level, you have to stay in touch with your students. This is not a job for me but a way of life. We are here to be catalysts for change in the lives of our students, educating them first about life and then about the course material. As an educator, there is always a teaching moment,” says Rozier.

              An active member of the community through Communities in Schools, United Way, and Delta Sigma Theta, Rozier loves people. “Our most important asset is people. You build up the people; you build up your community.” She was chosen to represent the southeastern United States on the board of National Association of Practical Nursing Educational Services. Rozier also serves as Associate Pastor of Holly Spring Missionary Baptist Church under Senior Pastor Joe F. Moore. She has three children and four grandchildren.

              Rozier credits HGTC with helping her become who she is today, “One of the things I realize is that HGTC has nurtured me and it is because of HGTC that I am who I am today. Work and life is a process. Each day I strive to reach toward a higher calling, just like in education.”

Treutlen County School Superintendent and Administrative Staff LEARN & EARN.  On July 25, 2008, fifteen staff members from the Treutlen County School System visited the Heart of Georgia Technical College campus in Dublin to LEARN about the Work Ready Initiative and EARN their own Work Ready Certificate.  Bob Dixon, Work Ready Region Project Manager, greets the group before they begin their assessments.  If you are interested in EARNING your own Work Ready Certificate, please call (478) 274-7929.

Heart of Georgia Technical College participated in the Communities in Schools L.I.N.K.S. Program on August 9 at Walmart Supercenter.  Pictured is Robyn Bedingfield, HGTC recruiter, speaking with visitors to the event.  

GED High Score Awards

     The Heart of Georgia Technical College Adult Education Program held GED graduation July 31, 2008.  Awards for the highest scores on the GED exam were presented.

     Jeffrey Grantz was named the recipient of the Louise T. Pope Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Laurens County. The award was sponsored by Dublin-Laurens Communities in Schools, Inc.  Mr. Grantz  also received the Scholastic Excellence Award, which was sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, for earning the highest overall score on the GED exam.

     Brandon Hall received the Annie L. Cooper Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Bleckley County.  The award was sponsored by Hon’s Automotive.

     Randy Smith  was named the recipient of the Sarah I. Bullock Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Dodge County.  The award was sponsored by the Dodge County Certified Literate Community Program. 

     Linda Settles was the recipient of the Robert F. Jackson Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Telfair County.  The award was sponsored by Wells Car Care.

     Kaci Turner received the Perry Doak Award for earning the highest school on the GED exam in Wheeler County.  The award was sponsored by Little Ocmulgee EMC.

     Stephanie Smith was the recipient of the Oscar McWhorter Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Wilkinson County.  The award was sponsored by Oconee EMC. 

Capping Ceremony at HGTC

The Eastman Practical Nursing class at Heart of Georgia Technical College held a Capping Ceremony July 24, 2008.  Pictured are students who participated in the capping.  Front row (l-r):  Noleen Olckers, RN (guest speaker); Angela Brown (Dodge County); Ebony Asberry (Washington County); Brittney Sapp (Dodge County); Kandi Purvis (Wheeler County); Bobbie Lowther, RN, BSN, PN (instructor).  Back row (l-r):  Susie Lowther, RN, BSN; Linsey Arnold (Dodge County); Jennifer Dancy (Dodge County); Selena Peavey (Telfair County); and Amanda Tompkins (Wheeler County).

David Taylor and Kevin Corbin, from the Heart of Georgia Technical College Criminal Justice Program, are shown reviewing material for the upcoming “Crime Awareness for Seniors” presentation.    Some of the topics to be covered are:  personal awareness, reducing the risk of becoming a victim, travel safety, verbal and non-verbal indicators, and how not to succumb to fraud.  The program, which will be held at the HGTC Porter Center, August 14, 5 – 7 pm, is free and open to the public.