In a collaborative effort to strengthen the region’s economic and workforce competitiveness, Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) and Dalton State College will host the first-ever Northwest Georgia Workforce Summit on August 22. The summit aims to bring together educators, business leaders, and community partners to explore strategies for addressing the evolving workforce needs in Georgia.

The summit is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at Dalton State’s Gignilliat Hall, located at 650 College Drive in Dalton. Opening remarks will be given by University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue and Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Greg Dozier, highlighting the critical role of higher education in meeting Georgia’s workforce needs.

Dalton State President John Fuchko III emphasized the importance of a highly skilled and educated workforce, stating, “As Northwest Georgia prepares to welcome more than 20,000 new jobs over the next decade, the need for a highly skilled and educated workforce has never been more urgent.”

The summit will feature panel discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions led by regional industry leaders. Topics will include emerging workforce trends, educational partnerships, and actionable strategies for talent development and retention. GNTC President Heidi Popham expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating, “This summit provides a powerful platform to bring together industry, education, and regional leaders to share ideas and best practices that benefit the region as a whole.”

A lunch will feature roundtable discussions aimed at fostering collaboration and the sharing of ideas, with an optional networking session set for Thursday, August 21, from 7 to 8 p.m., also at Gignilliat Hall.

Registration for the summit is free but with limited space, it is required. To learn more or to register, visit daltonstate.edu/workforce-summit.