Georgia Quick Start, a division of the Technical College System of Georgia, has once again been voted the number one workforce training program in the U.S., according to a survey conducted by Area Development magazine, a trade publication for professional site locators. The magazine has conducted its survey of site professionals for eight years, and this marks the eighth consecutive time Quick Start was voted the best workforce training program in the country.

“For more than 40 years, Quick Start has provided the kind of cutting-edge, specialized training that companies need to be successful,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “Its consistently high level of expertise and service have established its national reputation for excellence and contributed greatly to Georgia’s frequent presence among the top states for business, including this year’s No. 1 ranking.”

In the same survey, Georgia was recognized by professional site locators as the best state in the country for doing business. This is the fourth year that Georgia has earned this ranking, which has positioned the state as the best in the country for site location-consultants advising client companies regarding location decisions.  Georgia has been praised for having the most cooperative and responsive government, speed of permitting and the most professional, statewide economic development organization. 

Quick Start’s services are offered at no cost to companies creating or retaining jobs in Georgia, helping companies “save millions of dollars and close a deal,” the magazine reported in its Sept. 2017 issue. In recent years, Quick Start has delivered more than 6,500 projects training more than one million employees, and has been the “deciding factor” for many companies choosing Georgia.

“The number-one ranked workforce development program is Georgia’s Quick Start,” the magazine continues. “Quick Start is a highly versatile program, whose industry experts can design and implement cutting-edge training programs for workers in aerospace, biotechnology, pharma, advanced manufacturing, food and beverage, and other industries.” 

“Quick Start is one of the major economic development incentives for attracting new jobs to Georgia,” said TCSG Commissioner Corbin. “We’re very proud that we’ve been named number one in eight out of eight surveys, and we thank our partners in site location for recognizing us with this honor, and the work our technical colleges do in collaborating with Quick Start.” 

Quick Start has been lauded many times by companies choosing Georgia, including Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc.  King’s Hawaiian, NCR, Baxter International, Starbucks, Hyundai Dymos, Toyo Tire and Caterpillar and many others. “Quick Start is what sealed the deal,” said Jim Hawk, Chairman, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas, Inc., and President, Toyo Tire North America. 

“Our team works diligently to stay current with all the latest advanced manufacturing techniques, and approaches every project, large or small, with the same level of professionalism and quality,” said Jackie Rohosky, assistant commissioner for Economic Development Programs at TCSG and head of Quick Start. “And, it’s rewarding to see our efforts recognized.”