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emphasizes return on investment for
students and employers alike.
ROLE OF TECHNICAL COLLEGES
As perceptions of higher education continue to shift, Todd believes
technical colleges play an increasingly vital role in today’s education
landscape. “For a long time, people
believed there was only one path to
success— a four-year degree,” she
told this writer. “Now families and
students are recognizing that technical education offers both immediate
workforce entry and a strong onramp to further education.”
The data supports that view.
The college consistently reports
strong job placement outcomes, particularly in high-demand fields such
as healthcare, manufacturing and
skilled trades. In just the past four
semesters, the college has graduated more than 200 students into
nursing programs alone— each entering a workforce with overwhelming demand. Programs in HVAC,
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welding and advanced manufacturing routinely achieve 100 percent
job placement rates.
Nearly 91 percent of graduates
secure employment directly related to
their field of study, while others continue their education or enter military
service. “That tells employers something very important,” Todd said. “Our
graduates have the skills they need,
and they’re ready to work.”
A MILITARY COMMUNITY
Located near Fort Benning, the
college serves a region with one
of the largest military-connected
populations in the state. While
approximately 22 percent of the
student body self-identifies as
military-connected, Todd estimates
the true figure is closer to one-third.
Serving those students is both
a responsibility and an opportunity. “Each year, about 2,300 service
members transition out of active
duty here,” Todd notes. “Many of
them stay in the region and we want
to ensure they have clear pathways
into meaningful civilian careers.”
That commitment will soon take
shape in a major new initiative. It’s
the Puckett Center for Workforce
Development, scheduled to open
in August 2026. Named in honor of
Medal of Honor recipient Col. Ralph
Puckett Jr., the center will focus on
supporting transitioning service
members veterans, and military
families during the critical final
months of service and beyond. The
center will also be located in South
Columbus’ 31903 ZIP code— one of
the highest-poverty areas in Georgia—underscoring Columbus Tech’s
dual mission of workforce readiness
and economic mobility.
“Physical proximity matters,”
Todd said. “When opportunity is
closer to where people live, it becomes more attainable.”
HIGH-DEMAND SKILLS
Program offerings closely mirror
regional and statewide workforce
