GPTC hosts manufacturer’s luncheon

Annual luncheon Included $130,000 donation presentation from Dart Foundation

Pictured, from left: GPTC Vice President of Economic Development & Dean, Newton CampusDr. Irvin Clark DART Foundation Representative Chris Clark, GPTC President Dr. Jabari Simama, DART Foundation Committee Lead Lisa Phillips, DART Foundation Representative Adam McGee, Vice President, GPTC Foundation Dr. Tony Neal, and DART Foundation Representative Farren Elliott. - photo by Staff Report

GPTC luncheon — Pictured, from left: GPTC Vice President of Economic Development & Dean, Newton CampusDr. Irvin Clark DART Foundation Representative Chris Clark, GPTC President Dr. Jabari Simama, DART Foundation Committee Lead Lisa Phillips, DART Foundation Representative Adam McGee, Vice President, GPTC Foundation Dr. Tony Neal, and DART Foundation Representative Farren Elliott. - photo by Staff Report

COVINGTON, Ga. - Georgia Piedmont Technical College recently welcomed leaders from local businesses and industries, as well as civic and elected officials, to its annual Manufacturers Luncheon. Each year, the luncheon is coordinated to recognize companies nominated by the college to compete in the annual statewide Manufacturer of the Year competition.

“Congratulations to our 2018 nominees for Manufacturer of the Year,” Dr. Jabari Simama, GPTC president, said. “We are proud of you for all of the work you do in our communities, both professionally and socially. We are so honored that you are here with us today, and we look forward to continuing to celebrate with you during the Governor’s Manufacturing Appreciation Week Luncheon, April 12, 2018. You know you are all winners!”

This year’s luncheon also included a special announcement and presentation from the Dart Foundation.

“It is an honor to be here today on behalf of the Dart Foundation,” Lisa S. Phillips, Dart Foundation committee lead, said. “On behalf of the Dart Foundation’s Board, I present this special grant, in the amount of $130,000, to Georgia Piedmont Technical College. This grant will assist in the purchase of Programmable Logic Controller Equipment that will be available in the new Advanced Manufacturing Center. We are committed to providing impactful grants that will strengthen and improve the quality of life in our community!”

“We are ecstatic to partner with the Dart Foundation to upgrade our facilities to Industry 4.0 standards,” Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Executive Director, GPTC Foundation Dr. Anthony Neal said. “This grant will allow Georgia Piedmont Tech to recruit students with a keen interest in manufacturing, as well as meet the growing demand by area employers to hire workers who understand how to operate programs and machinery allowing mass customization, creating an opportunity for businesses to cut costs and save money.”

“Having a lab that meets Industry 4.0 standards will have a direct and positive impact on our students,” Simama said. “For example, we are recruiting our second cohort of students for our German Apprenticeship program, a program we developed in partnership with our Chambers of Commerce, College & Career Academies and local industry representatives. By upgrading Georgia Piedmont Tech’s center to Industry 4.0 standards, we are able to offer these apprentices and our other students the only training program in the state that addresses this kind of ‘smart device’ training.”

GPTC’s luncheon, held on its Newton campus, is a precursor to the statewide Manufacturing Appreciation Week luncheon. Each year, Georgia Piedmont Technical College consults with local chambers of commerce and other economic development entities to identify companies to nominate for the Manufacturer of the Year competition.