German Higher Educational Experts visit Lanier Technical College

Lanier Technical College hosted 14 German-American Fulbright Commission Higher Educational Experts for discussions on “The role of U.S. universities: balancing education, research, and industry”.

The discussion, which was organized by the Institute of International Education (IIE), introduced the visiting Higher Education leaders and decision-makers to the role of Lanier Technical College at the interface of academia and workforce development for business.

Deputy Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia, Matt Arthur, welcomed the distinguished visitors and opened the discussions.

Dr. Ray Perren, President of Lanier Tech, presented an overview of the College’s programs, student populations and interests, and the workforce development mission of the College. Dr. Perren explained how the College implements new programs with academic rigor and business input in order to successfully follow the College’s mission.

Tim McDonald, Executive Vice President of Lanier Technical College, served as moderator and explained that Lanier Tech has functioning programs that build on the German apprenticeship model.

The round-table consisted of engaging and thoughtful discussion on the effective apprenticeship model of local businesses with Lanier Technical College, cultural barriers to expanding the apprenticeship model in the US, and the return on effort of successful implementation for both academia and business. Apprenticeships combined with higher education have been common in Germany for over 100 years. Several local business and corporations, including IMS Gear, King’s Hawaiian, Kubota Manufacturing of America, and Siemens USA participated in the round-table.

IMS Gear is a German company with a well-established manufacturing facility in Gainesville, GA. Greg Vitek, IMS Gear Gainesville President, introduced several young apprentices from IMS Gear to the German leaders. During the day, the young employees work in the IMS Gear "Metals Bootcamp”, and in the evening they attend Lanier Technical College to combine their training at IMS Gear with academics and hands-on studies in Industrial Systems Technology at Lanier Tech. The students are working toward their journeyman credential (master-level) in Mechatronics, one of the hottest skillsets in the US and Europe.

Vitek talked about the impediments to apprenticeships in the US, but also about the high potential for profitability that they bring by working through the issues.

The visiting Deutsch leaders and the Lanier Tech hosts also discussed how U.S. campuses develop strategic partnerships with the private sector to help their students better prepare for the workforce and how these lessons can be applied in the German context.

The German Higher Educational Experts visited four universities in Georgia and one college in the Technical College System of Georgia. One German visitor noted that the Lanier Tech discussion was one of the highlights of their tour, and that the German leaders and decision-makers learned much that would be valuable upon their return to their colleges and universities.

Lanier Technical College offers over 40 programs of study in some of the nation's fastest-growing career fields including healthcare, energy, business and industry, and public or private service. More information about Lanier Technical College may be obtained by calling 770.533.7000 or by visiting www.laniertech.edu. Lanier Technical College is a Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.