Business leaders, educators and workforce experts from across Northwest Georgia will gather later this month to discuss some of the biggest challenges facing employers and workers across the region.

The second annual Northwest Georgia Workforce Summit is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, at Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Gordon County Campus.

Presented by Dalton State College and Georgia Northwestern Technical College, the summit will bring together representatives from education, industry and government to examine how Northwest Georgia can develop the workforce needed for continued economic growth.

This year’s discussions will concentrate on three areas with significant implications for Northwest Georgia — healthcare, manufacturing and the growing impact of artificial intelligence and technology on the workplace.

A healthcare workforce panel will examine ways employers and educators can meet current staffing needs while developing future workers. Representatives will include AdventHealth Murray, Hamilton Medical Center, the Technical College System of Georgia and Calhoun College & Career Academy.

Another panel will focus on manufacturing, industrial growth and economic opportunity. Representatives from Mohawk Industries, GEDIA, Georgia Power and regional economic development organizations are among those participating in the day’s discussions.

Artificial intelligence will also receive considerable attention. An afternoon panel will look at how AI and other technologies are changing jobs and what workers and employers can do to prepare. Panelists include representatives from the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, Shaw Industries, Mohawk Industries and Vitruvian Health.

The summit comes as Northwest Georgia continues working to prepare for significant employment growth. Dalton State says the region is expected to add more than 20,000 jobs over the next decade, increasing demand for skilled and educated workers.

The luncheon program will feature a discussion about Georgia’s workforce future with Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Greg Dozier, University System of Georgia Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Ashwani Monga, and Ian Caraway, director of policy and external affairs for Gov. Brian Kemp.

The summit begins at 8:30 AM October 29 with registration, coffee and networking and is scheduled to conclude at 3 PM.

Attendance is free, but advance registration is required.

Organizers say the goal is to move beyond simply identifying workforce problems and encourage cooperation among schools, colleges, employers and economic development organizations throughout Northwest Georgia.