Lanier Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, serves as the leading workforce development resource for Forsyth, Dawson, Hall, Lumpkin, Banks, Barrow and Jackson counties by providing higher education and career-technical education programs leading to associate of applied science degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit.

The college also provides customized business and industry training, economic development services, continuing education for technical and professional development and adult education services.

The college’s mission can be summed up in two words — “workforce development.”

With a placement rate of 99.9 percent, the college’s motto, “Great Careers Begin Here,” comes true every day.

Lanier Tech's five campuses are conveniently located throughout northeast Georgia and offer 155 programs of study including 31 associate degree programs, 38 diploma programs, and 86 technical certificate of credit programs.

Programs are available in allied health, business and computer technology, industrial and technical studies and public and professional services.

More than 40 high-demand programs of study are offered through traditional, online and hybrid classes.

The college is currently accepting applications for the summer 2016 semester, which begins May 17.

Lanier Tech is a leader among Georgia’s technical colleges having been named the Technical College of the Year in 2014.

Faculty members from Lanier Tech were named as the Rick Perkins Instructors of the Year in 2014 and 2015.

Lanier Tech is also home to the 2016 Exceptional Adult Georgian in Adult Literacy, or EAGLE, Adult Education Student of the Year.

In September, construction will begin on a new modern campus to replace the current campus in Oakwood.

Lanier Technical College’s Forsyth campus, a 120,000 square-foot facility on 49 acres with more than 800 enrolled students, is an educational provider of high-demand programs of study in health care, computer technology, business technology, public safety and professional services.

In June, the Lanier Tech’s Physical Therapist Assistant program, based on the Forsyth campus, will graduate its first class of students.

After completing a rigorous two-year program, these 16 students will enter the work force in positions paying more than $50,000 per year, working in a variety of settings including hospitals, physical rehabilitation clinics, nursing homes and home health care sites.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, PTAs in north Georgia earn an average salary of about $57,000 per year, with job openings expected to increase by 46 percent between 2010 and ’20.

Applications for admission to the third class of students will be available in July.

The Forsyth campus also received recognition when Amy O’Dell, director of the interiors program, was named the Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year for Lanier Tech.

As the college winner’s, O’Dell advances to state competition in Atlanta in April.

In fall 2015, Lanier Tech enrolled 290 Move on When Ready students, with the Forsyth campus having the most students.

The program provides for students who are dual credit enrolled at a participating eligible public or private high school, or home study program in Georgia, and a participating eligible postsecondary institution in Georgia.

These students take postsecondary coursework for credit towards high school graduation or home study completion and postsecondary requirements.

Beginning last fall, the program is offered during all terms of the school year — fall, spring and summer semester.

Students that participate in MOWR will receive high school credit and college credit simultaneously while attending college classes on the college campus.

Students may complete either general education courses for transfer to a four-year university and/or occupational courses leading to an associate’s degree or other award at Lanier Tech.

The college’s Forsyth Conference Center continues to expand services. In 2015, this 14,000-square-foot facility played host to 73,000 patrons during 380 events. The facility was named Best Event Center in the 2016 edition of Best of Forsyth.

The center can be configured to hold a single large meeting, many small gatherings or a combination of both.

It offers a wide range of services, including audiovisual, wireless Internet, video conferencing, laptop rental, and other services for area businesses and other guests.

For weddings and social events, the center offers flexible options to meet community needs in an elegant, affordable setting.
Upcoming events at the center include the Forsyth County Senior Expo from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 2.

On April 12, the college’s interior design students will showcase their work in a portfolio show from 6 to 8 p.m.

The college and the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a “Food Trucks ‘N Forsyth” from 5 to 8 p.m. every third Monday from April to July in the upper parking lot.

The dates are April 18, May 16, June 20 and July 18. Come enjoy family fun with balloon rides, musical entertainment and different food trucks each month.

From April 11-30, the college’s horticulture program will hold a plant sale, offering a wide variety of beautiful and healthy plants. The 2016 plant sale features an exceptional selection of herbs and scented geraniums.