Solutions - Spring 2014

solutions A PUBLICATION OF THE CENTER FOR BUSINESS SOLUTIONS AT ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE - SPRING 2014

magazine

CBS Provides Training to Dougherty County School System’s IT Department

Training Partnership through Project Management Course at Albany Technical College Helps Dougherty County School System’s IT Department Provide Leading Edge Technology More Successfully Logistics Education Center/Kirkland Conference Center Rental Facilities Cover Feature Story Commercial Truck Driving Program/CDL Refresher Course

page 4 page 6 page 9

solutions A PUBLICATION OF THE CENTER FOR BUSINESS SOLUTIONS AT ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE - SPRING 2014

magazine

INSIDE THIS EDITION

Staff Members

FROM THE ATC PRESIDENT 2

Importance of Project Management

FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF CBS 3

Think CBS!

LOGISTICS EDUCATION CENTER/ KIRKLAND CONFERENCE CENTER 4/5

Rental Facilities Provide Perfect Venue Space

COVER FEATURE

MATT TRICE Vice President 430.3563

mtrice@albanytech.edu

VALERIE WILLIAMS Solutions Associate, Continuing Education 430.3867

vwilliams@albanytech.edu

6/7

CBS/DCSS IT DEPARTMENT PARTNER FOR TRAINING

DRIVER’S EDUCATION PROGRAM 8 Options Offered to High School

Students and Adults ATC PROGRAM FEATURE 9 Commercial Truck Driving/

CDL Refresher Course CBS PROGRAM FEATURE 10 Project Management CBS STAFF HIGHLIGHT 10-13 Valerie Williams, Director of

Continuing Education

STEVE EIDSON CEDT, PMP®

JOHN KLEMM

seidson@albanytech.edu

jklemm@albanytech.edu

Solutions Associate, Instruction 430.6619

Solutions Associate, Logistics 430.3924

PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE

YVONDRIA KELLOGG

KIMBERLY CLARK

ykellogg@albanytech.edu

kclark@albanytech.edu

Solutions Assistant 430.6598

Solutions Assistant 430.6616

Solutions is published quarterly by the Center for Business Solutions at Albany Technical College. Albany Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.

Questions and comments relating to this publication or any of its contents may be addressed to:

Solutions, c/o Albany Technical College 1704 S. Slappey Blvd.

Albany, Georgia 31701 http://cbs.albanytech.edu

On the Cover:

CBS PROVIDES TRAINING TO DOUGHERTY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM’S IT DEPARTMENT

Training Partnership through Project Management Course at Albany Technical College Helps Dougherty County School System’s IT Department Provide Leading Edge Technology More Successfully

FEATURES page 4

page 5

page 8

LOGISTICS EDUCATION CENTER

KIRKLAND CONFERENCE CENTER

DRIVER’S EDUCATION

page 9

page10

page11

COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVING

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Contents CBS STAFF HIGHLIGHT

FROM OUR COLLEGE PRESIDENT

DR. ANTHONY O. PARKER

Importance of Project Management Training In our Center for Business Solutions here at Albany Technical College, we are providing more and more training opportunities to our community partners.

Sincerely,

As you read the cover feature in this edition of Solutions, you will find that our new partnership with the Information Technology division of the Dougherty County School System is only the beginning of what will certainly become an ever evolving partnership as more of more entities of DCSS discover what we can offer.

Anthony O. Parker, Ph.D. President, Albany Technical College

Through the Project Management program, employees in the DCSS IT department are not only discovering more ways of collaborating together, but also how to forecast and prevent issues that may arise down the road. Considering the number of faculty, staff and students they serve, this is a crucial step when planning to upgrade technology, or any other initiatives that are needed to improve the system.

Whether you are searching for ways to better train your employees, improve customer service, provide contract training, or simply offer continuing education courses to your staff members, CBS is here to partner with you in increasing your bottom line. Contact them today to explore all the options available to you and your business.

2 | solutions | Albany Technical College | Spring 2014

from the President

FROM OUR VICE PRESIDENT

MATT TRICE

Think CBS! When we meet with business, industry and other organizations in the SDA to address training needs, one of the things that we impress upon them is that they should think of the Center for Business Solutions as an extension of their organization and look to us for training needs that they have. Simply put, if you have a need in your organization, it is very likely that the Center for Business Solutions can meet and exceed your expectations and need. Not only do we have the resources of Albany Technical College, but also the entire Technical College System of Georgia. This allows us to reach throughout Georgia and tap resources and assistance and bring them to bare in your specific situation.

Sincerely,

Matt Trice Vice President, Center for Business Solutions

Our newest partnership with the Dougherty County School System’s IT Department, is highlighted in this issue of Solutions. This is a perfect example of being able to meet a variety of needs within an organization and deliver world-class training, in a world-class environment and provide solutions that are cost effective.

We look forward to working with your organization and providing you THE BEST! HERE AT HOME!

from the Vice President

solutions | Albany Technical College | Spring 2014 | 3

CBS EVENT SERVICES

LOGISTICS EDUCATION CENTER

Logistics Education Center Auditorium + Executive Board Room Technology is an asset for any training facility, but with the technology options available through Albany Technical College’s Logistics Education Center Auditorium, the possibilities are endless.

A 76-chair facility offering technology features such as multiple cameras, cable, multiple large LCD screens, including stage four-set and four audience dropdowns, the Logistics Education Center is an ideal venue for both medium- to large-sized meetings and training sessions.

business’s next meeting or training session, contact the Center for Business Solutions at 229.430.3563.

You can also find more info about the facility by visiting http://cbs.albanytech.edu and clicking on the “Event Services” link.

Many organizations are unaware this facility and many others at Albany Tech are available for rental.

Not only can a business or organization rent the facility, but catering services are also offered through Albany Tech’s Culinary Arts division at a reasonable cost. Representatives at Albany Tech’s Center for Business Solutions (CBS) can provide menu options to any organization or business wishing to utilize the facility. For more information on the Logistics Education Center Auditorium at Albany Tech or information on renting the facility for your organization or

Logistics Education Center

4 | solutions | Albany Technical College | Spring 2014

KIRKLAND CONFERENCE CENTER

CBS EVENT SERVICES

Kirkland Conference Center A multi-purpose room that can be arranged to handle a banquet, large classroom setting, or even a theatre is what you'll find with Albany Tech's George M. Kirkland Conference Center.

A 4,000-square-foot facility, the Kirkland Conference Center can hold up to 600 people. The various floor arrangements in the facility are endless with partitions available and circular and rectangular tables.

In addition, the technology capabilities of the Auditorium are endless with multiple cameras, cable, podium with wired microphone, wireless microphones, and much more.

For more information on the Kirkland Conference Center at Albany Tech or information on renting the facility for your organization or business’s next meeting or training session, contact the Center for Business Solutions at 229.430.3563.

Kirkland Conference Center

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COVER FEATURE

CBS/DCSS PARTNERSHIP

“DCSS Information Technology will utilize leading edge technology and Albany Tech’s training to provide technological services that will enhance students’ education.”

Maurice D. Ficklin

Director of Information Technology and CIO, DCSS

CBS Provides Training to Dougherty County School System’s IT Department Training Partnership through Project Management Course at Albany Technical College Helps Dougherty County School System’s IT Department Provide Leading Edge Technology More Successfully The Dougherty County School System (DCSS) Information Technology department is using training provided by Albany Technical College in Project Management to provide technological services that will further enhance students’ education.

Maurice D. Ficklin, Director of Information Technology and CIO for DCSS, has brought change to the Information Technology department in a good way. His methodology is already aligned with Project Management skills in mind. Ficklin says that the plan for DCSS Information Technology is to provide leading edge technology to the students, teachers, parents, staff, administrators, executives, the School Board, and the community via PMI project management standards, procedures, tools, knowledge and methodology.

His goal is to ensure the classes provide the knowledge base for his entire team so they can speak the same language and understand how to stay on time, on budget, and on point, which adds to the DCSS Information Technology’s success and organization.

6 | solutions | Albany Technical College | Spring 2014

“DCSS Information Technology will utilize leading edge technology and Albany Tech’s training to provide technological services that will enhance students’ education,” said Ficklin.

the classroom for discussion.

Three departmental leaders on Ficklin’s staff have been taking the Project Management course at Albany Tech for the past few weeks and are embracing the training to the fullest extent. Darius Johnson,Technology Infrastructure and Operations Lead for DCSS, Tina Aumsbaugh,Technology Educational Services Lead for DCSS, and Mary Barkley, Technology Enterprise Applications Lead for DCSS, have all been very involved and excited about the training they are receiving.

One of the many benefits to the Project Management course is providing key concepts that will help these staff members better manage projects for the school system.

Albany Tech Project Management program instructor, Dr. Steve Eidson, has been very impressed with the attitude of the IT staff and their desire to learn and improve their processes. He said many have even been doing research outside of the class on what they are learning and bringing these ideas back into

“This group has done a very, very good job so far and are excited about the possibilities of this type training,” said Eidson.

“This class is helping us to identify better ways of handling our processes,” said Darius Johnson,Technology Infrastructure and Operations Lead for DCSS. Tina Aumsbaugh says that through the course, they are able to look at things in the future and to plan things better from beginning to end. She thinks this course will provide all the knowledge they need to get that done.

Feature

Mary Barkley added that the pre-planning and implementation portion of the classes

CBS/DCSS PARTNERSHIP

COVER FEATURE

“Not only will this provide them with an additional credential, but it will also equip them with the skills and reference points to be able to do a better job and ultimately, implement the goals of students in Dougherty County.”

Dr. Steve Eidson

Project Management Instructor, Albany Tech

are really helping them to tie these methods into their current projects. She said this helps them to avoid mistakes down the road.

“We have gone through examples of projects we are implementing and that has been the most resourceful thing,” said Barkley. “We are using something called Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to identify processes that need to take place prior to things being implemented, which has helped to collaborate more as a team and identify challenges early on.”

Upon completion, these three IT leads will receive 36 hours of classroom experience in Project Management and would be able to go back and document 4500 hours of participation in projects, which would qualify them to sit for the national certification in Project Management.

Feature

“Not only will this provide them with an additional credential, but it will also equip them with the skills and reference points to be able to do a better job and ultimately, implement the goals of students in Dougherty County,” said Eidson.

Eidson said in looking at the training from an economic development standpoint, it will provide potential employers who consider locating to our community, with assurance of the level of commitment to training in technology for the students within the community.

In looking at future training, Eidson said he is already working on a course to offer others within the DCSS. For the DCSS IT Department, they are looking at receiving Entry and Advanced SQL, CISCO, and Lean Six Sigma in early 2014.

“Albany Tech can give us the training at a reduced cost and hopefully, become a partner with DCSS for hands-on education,” said Ficklin.

“This group has done a very, very good job so far and are excited about the possibilities of this type training. “

Dr. Steve Eidson

Project Management Instructor, Albany Tech

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CBS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

DRIVER’S EDUCATION

Driver’s Education CBS Offers Course to both High School Students and One-on-One Training for Adults The Center for Business Solutions at Albany Technical College offers driver’s education options to both high school students and training for adults.

For high school students, the 36-hour course consists of 30 hours in-class training and six hours behind-the-wheel training. Scheduled once every semester, the course is held at the local area high school where the student attends or on the Albany Tech campus.The location is dependent upon enrollment numbers and is determined by the driver’s education instructor and the CBS Director of Continuing Education.

All students must pay and register for the class in the CBS office located at the west entrance of the campus off South Slappey Boulevard in the Manufacturing Technology Center.

For more information, call 229.430.3563 or email cbs@albanytech.edu.

For adults wishing to train, the one-on-one driver’s education course is usually a six-hour course strictly behind-the-wheel training.

Cost for high school students is $250 and for adults who come to ATC, $300; for adults needed to be picked up at their resident, $325.

8 | solutions | Albany Technical College | Spring 2014

Feature

COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVING/CDL REFRESHER COURSE

ATC PROGRAM FEATURE

Commercial Truck Driving CDL Refresher Course

Commercial Truck Driving Program at Albany Tech Provides Superior Training CDL Refresher Offers Continuous Training for Existing Drivers The Commercial Truck Driving program at Albany Technical College is a rigorous eightweek program providing all the knowledge and hands-on training necessary to obtain a CDL in the State of Georgia, as well as the opportunity to obtain employment in the Commercial Truck Driving Industry.

Graduates of the program receive a diploma in Commercial Truck Driving. Minimum age to enroll is 18 years.

to find out about changes to driving regulations and time allotments.

The length of the CDL Refresher course is 40 hours at a cost of $450.

For registration or scheduling information, contact CBS at 229.430.3563 or email cbs@ albanytech.edu.

For more information about the program, contact Kenny Rogers, Program Chair for the program, at 229.430.1732, or email krogers@ albanytech.edu. General Admission Requirements and other information about the program can also be found at www.albanytech.edu.

The CDL Refresher Course is available to current drivers who need to keep their License up-to-date.The course helps drivers to relearn the important Hazmat requirements, as well as

ATC Program Feature

solutions | Albany Technical College | Spring 2014 | 9

CBS PMI

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Project Management Becoming a Certified Associate Project Manager (CAPM®) has never been easier with PM Program The Center for Business Solutions (CBS) at Albany Technical College began the Project Management program in early 2013 to provide an even greater opportunity for students to satisfy the requirements to become a Certified Associate Project Manager (CAPM®).

For more information about the Project Management program and how to get you and/or your company enrolled, contact CBS at 229.430.3563 or email cbs@albanytech.edu.

By conforming to the educational requirements of the Project Management Institute for sitting for the PMI® certification exam, the Project Management program consists of a blended format utilizing online components, as well as in-class lab experiences. Coursework is designed to take students from Initiating, Planning and Executing, to Montoring, Controlling, and Closing a project.

Through the Project Management program at CBS, many questions like “How many people will this take?,” “How long before it is finished?,” “How much will this cost?,” are all answered.

Seasoned instructor Dr. Steve Eidson brings a wealth of knowledge to this program and many others offered at CBS. 10 | solutions | Albany Technical College | Spring 2014

PMI

VALERIE WILLIAMS

CBS STAFF HIGHLIGHT

CBS Staff Highlight As the Director of Continuing Education in the Center for Business Solutions (CBS) at Albany Technical College,Valerie Williams’ primary focus is to ensure that ATC is providing the courses needed by both employed and unemployed individuals within the college’s Service Delivery Area (SDA) will assist them in enhancing their current skill sets or add additional skills to their work portfolio to maintain or obtain an exciting career.

Valerie Williams

CBS Director of Continuing Education

CBS Staff Highlight

Williams coordinates all Continuing Education courses offered through CBS including Forklift, Driver’s Education, CPR/ First Aid Certification, ACT and Work Keys Testing, CDL and Computer Application classes. In addition to her duties as the Director of Continuing Education, she also manages the Event Services for the college’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Logistics Education Center Auditorium, Board Room, and the Kirkland Conference Center, along with the Titans Culinary Cuisine Catering Services.

With over 15 years experience in the corporate sector and 10 years in the Logistics industry,Williams experience within

the industry as Operations and Territory Manager includes corporate training, both domestic and international, for Exel Logistics and PECO. Her management experience includes HR Management, ADP Payroll Management, Accounts Payable/ Receivable, along with WMS and ACT software applications. She has developed training documentation, testing materials, and conducted/facilitated web-based software application training, OSHA Safety training, Customer Service, and employee benefits training.

A graduate of Texas Southern University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration,Williams moved to Albany from Seattle,Washington in the fall of 2010, which kick started her affiliation with Albany Tech. She has also completed her Green Belt Certification at ATC and can now proudly state she is an ATC alumni. As a new Alumni of ATC, she proudly displays her school spirit and serves as the new Cheer Coach for the ATC Titans Cheer Squad.

solutions | Albany Technical College | Spring 2014 | 11

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1704 S. Slappey Blvd.

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Dougherty County Campus: 229.430.3500 | Randolph County Learning Center: 229.732.5280 www.albanytech.edu As set forth in its student catalog, Albany Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, veteran status, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). The following person(s) has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator, Kathy Skates, Vice President of Administrative Services, Albany Technical College, 1704 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany, GA 31701. Phone 229.430.3524 and Section 504 Coordinator, Regina Watts, Special Needs Coordinator, Albany Technical College, 1704 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany, GA 31701, 229.430.2854 or rwatts@albanytech.edu.

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www.albanytech.edu

A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Albany Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.