#1310 | August 31, 2012

SAVANNAH – More than one million adults in Georgia don’t have a high school diploma. And without a high school credential, they’re less likely to get a good-paying job, discover a great career and enjoy a much better life. There’s no better time than now to take the one easy step that can change their lives forever. And it can start with a free GED ® practice test.

“At Savannah Technical College, we meet our students where they are and help them get where they need to be,” said Savannah Technical College President Dr. Kathy Love. “Many of our students are taking the first steps to earn their GED ®. We remove their barriers to success by giving students free learning tools and support to succeed.”

September is the National Literacy Month. As part of the month-long literacy campaign, Georgia’s adult education centers, including Savannah Technical College’s Adult Education Department, will be offering opportunities for adult learners to take a GED ® practice test at no charge. All prospective test-takers need to do is visit one of the centers and see how a small investment of their time can open the door to greater opportunities for them and their families.

Free practice tests will be given at each site to the first 20 to register. Registrations will be taken by phone at 912.443.5354 for all sites.

“We’re actively campaigning to help people throughout Georgia understand that we can help them prepare for the GED ® test and, with a little effort, they can earn a GED ® credential. After that, we’ll assist with their transition from GED ® diploma to college degree or into a better job. I encourage every adult learner in Georgia to make plans now to visit their local adult education center and take advantage of a free GED ® practice test session,” said Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Assistant Commissioner for Adult Education Beverly Smith.

For class registration information and information on the new GED ® computer-based testing, visit www.savannahtech.edu/cwo/GED_Adult_Education or call 912.443.5446.

Last year, more than 19,000 adult learners earned their GED ® diploma. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a person with a high school or GED ® credential earns $10,000 more per year than a non-high school graduate. The income level increases substantially more for those who go on to complete a college certificate, diploma or degree program.

For more information from the TCSG Office of Adult Education, including a full list of local adult education centers, go to https://tcsg.edu/adult_literacy.php or call 1-800-946-9433 (1-800-94MYGED).

Savannah Tech’s Adult Education serves those who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, practice for the GED ® test to attain a high school equivalence degree, and prepare for community college or technical education. The academic training provided by STC’s Adult Education prepares students to apply to college and improve career readiness. Savannah Technical College teaches adult education classes in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties with multiple locations in each community including at the College’s campus locations in Savannah, Rincon and Hinesville.

#1309 | August 22, 2012

Tips to help you set yourself apart for job seekers

SAVANNAH – This fall, Savannah Technical College Continuing Professional Education is offering two career preparation courses to help job seekers stand out in the crowd. Taught by Pat Yovich, CEO of First Class Marketing Solutions, a successful business owner, professional coach, and frequent speaker, the classes offer critical insights and valuable information for job search success.

     PREPARE FOR ONLINE INTERVIEWS is a three-hour session that covers what employers are looking for in the online application and helps job seekers learn how to successfully complete online applications and prepare an effective cover letter or cover email. It also includes some helpful how to tips on job searching and great resources. The class will be offered from 6-9 PM on Monday, September 10 and 17 at the STC Crossroads Campus (190 Crossroads Parkway, off I-95 Exit 102). The cost of the class is $159.

     GET THE EDGE FOR INTERVIEWING is a three-hour session that helps you learn to market yourself in preparing for the interview and covers all aspects of presentation. This session also includes mock interviews that help job seekers identify their strengths and weaknesses before stepping into a real interview. The class will be offered from 6-9 PM on Tuesday, September 11 and 18 at the STC Crossroads Campus. The cost of the class is $159.

     For registration and payment, contact Reeshemah Johnson, 912.443.5808 or rjohnson@savannahtech.edu. Credit and/or debit card payments may be made via telephone. Money order, personal or cashier’s checks made payable to Savannah Technical College will only be accepted at the Crossroads Campus.

     Savannah Technical College’s Professional Continuing Education pledges to provide professional short-term job training and community interest classes for the College’s four-county service area and offers many paths to high-wage, high-performance careers. No previous college experience, entrance exams or high school diploma/GED are required to participate in Professional Continuing Education classes.

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For more information about courses or to register contact: Reeshemah Johnson 912.443.5808 rjohnson@savannahtech.edu

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1307 | August 9, 2012

Savannah Tech is the first in Georgia to offer credentials for pastry arts

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College’s Culinary Institute of Savannah has created a new culinary baking and pastry program. Last week, the Culinary Baking and Pastry Arts associate degree and diploma received final approval from the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Based on curriculum from the American Culinary Federation (ACF), the new program will offer students a second culinary associate degree or diploma option at Savannah Technical College.

     “We have developed this unique baking and pastry program especially for our culinary students. There is nothing like it from Atlanta to Charleston,” said STC Culinary Arts Department Head and Instructor Chef Jean Vendeville. “This program offers a tremendous opportunity to train our students to achieve high standards and quality baking and pastry skills, which will benefit area hotels and restaurants.”

      Student enrolled in the program will learn the art of creating tasty baked goods, pastries, and confections, from traditional bread baking to beautiful showpieces. Students will learn a variety of international and classical pastries and desserts using basic and advanced techniques, which meet industry quality standards.

     The Culinary Baking and Pastry program includes foundation culinary courses like Fundamentals of Culinary Arts, Culinary Safety/Sanitation, Principles of Cooking, Baking Principles and Principles of Culinary Leadership. Courses specific to the new program include Baking Science, European Cakes and Tortes, Artisan/Specialty Bread, Hot/Cold-Plated Desserts, Cake Design/Decorating, Confection Artistry, Chocolate Artistry and Dessert/Bread Retail Production with Nutrition in Baking.

     According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pastry chefs are in-demand and make excellent salaries. Payscale.com reports that the average salary for pastry bakers is more than $40,000 per year. In 2008, specialty chefs represented more than 8,900 jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts job opportunities will increase by nearly 15% in the coming decade, adding 138,000 jobs by 2016. In addition, the BLS indicates highly skilled bakers should be especially in demand because of growing demand for specialty products. In Georgia, bakers earned a median annual salary of $23,190 in 2011, according to the BLS. Based on Department of Labor statistics the mean average salary in the Savannah area is $22,830.

      The Culinary Institute of Savannah ACF-accredited culinary arts program has been described as the “best in the U.S.A” by its ACF accreditation review board. Under Vendeville’s leadership, the enrollment for STC’s culinary arts program has increased 130 percent since 2008. Now, there are more than 200 enrolled with new classes offered. This spring he opened another teaching kitchen in Effingham, Ga. Vendeville has assembled a top-notch team of faculty, who have each earned national American Culinary Federation (ACF) certification under his leadership. He has embedded many aspects of sustainability into the program including an on-campus organic vegetable garden, an herb garden, and a composting site.

      At the 2012 ACF Southeastern Regional Conference, Vendeville received the top ACF award – the President’s Medallion. This award is the ultimate honor for a lifetime of commitment and service to the standards and excellence ACF exemplifies.

      Vendeville was recently named Instructor of the Year by the Technical College System of Georgia and Chef Educator of the Year by the Low Country Chapter of the ACF. He has led student teams to win three consecutive American Culinary Federation (ACF) Southeast Regional Championships – in 2010 in the Hot Food Team competition and back-to-back wins in the Knowledge Bowl competition in 2011 and 2012.  In July 2012, the Knowledge Bowl Team earned a silver medal at the national ACF competition. He has achieved his ACF Lifetime Certification as an Executive Pastry Chef and holds a Lifetime Certification as an Executive Chef from the Chef Association of America.

      He is developing his first book, entitled Croquembouche: The Art and Technique. His book will focus on pastry and desserts, prepared in traditional French technique. It will include 250 color photographs and recipes of his creations. His book is slated for publishing this year by Taylor and Francis of London and will be distributed internationally.

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Baking & Pastry Program – Academic Adviser Amber Robinson
912.443.5719
arobinson@savannahtech.edu

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1306 | August 6, 2012

Savannah Tech to offer Refrigeration Basics Sessions Instructional Topics with a hands-on approach

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College’s Professional Continuing Education program will present two informational sessions on refrigeration basics in the Industrial Technology building at its Savannah campus (5717 White Bluff Road in Savannah).

     Refrigeration Basics I is designed to provide an understanding of how refrigeration systems work. Instruction topics will include: heat and temperature, matter and energy and refrigeration and refrigerants. Discussion on pressure/temperature charts and refrigeration gauges will also be covered. The course will be offered from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. on September 21. The cost for Refrigeration Basics I is $200 per person.

     Refrigeration Basics II will provide participants with hands-on training on ‘live’ units involving procedures and problems that can arise when procedures are not followed properly. Instructional topics include: refrigerant recovery, leak detection, evacuation, measuring the vacuum, testing for acid, filter drier selection and charging the system. The course will be offered from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. on September 28. The cost for Refrigeration Basics II is $250 per person.

     For registration and payment, contact Reeshemah Johnson, 912.443.5808 or rjohnson@savannahtech.edu. Credit and/or debit card payments may be made via telephone. Money order, personal or cashier’s checks made payable to Savannah Technical College will only be accepted at the Crossroads Campus (190 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah, GA 31407).

     Savannah Technical College’s Professional Continuing Education pledges to provide professional short-term job training and community interest classes for the College’s four-county service area and offers many paths to high-wage, high-performance careers. No previous college experience, entrance exams or high school diploma/GED are required to participate in Professional Continuing Education classes.

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For More Information Contact:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1305 | August 3, 2012

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College offers new Sustainable Technology programs for the Fall 2012 semester. These are the first programs of their kind in the state of Georgia, introducing students to various topics including energy efficiency, energy measures and management, sustainable energy production, green-building construction, and historic preservation.

     The College developed these programs in response to career growth trends for residential weatherization, energy auditors with EPA licensure, alternative energy sources – solar thermal and wind power, as well as the specialized electrician certification required for photovoltaic installations.

     “The future of industry demands environmentally sustainable technologies,” said STC Dean of Industrial Technology Tal Loos. “Savannah Technical College has taken the lead in developing programs that provide students the training they need to be at the forefront of these rapidly growing career pathways.”

     The Sustainable Technology programs offer students the opportunity to have hands-on experience with both energy and construction before going into their area of specialization. The electrical specialization allows students to receive training in residential wiring, solar thermal systems, wind energy and photovoltaic systems. A structural specialization pathway covers energy efficient measures and systems, green building construction technologies and historic preservation/restoration history.

     Through Residential Weatherization and HVAC Specialist programs for an associate degree and professional diploma, students learn the various areas of a home energy audit. Graduates will have received training in refrigeration and heating, solar hot water heater installation and overall construction best practices.

     Savannah Technical College is establishing itself as a leader in sustainability among Georgia’s Technical Colleges, offering the first solar energy installation and repair program, as well as the only hands-on historic preservation program in the state.

     The College’s Construction Management associate degree qualifies students for general contracting licensure one year earlier with the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors. STC is the first technical college to receive approval for two years of education and one year of work experience for program graduates. According to the licensing board, those wanting to sit for state licensure require four years of on-the-job training with a licensed contractor prior to being approved to take the exam. The Board’s approval of the associate degree program allows students to apply for a license after STC program completion and one year of supervised experience.

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For More Information Contact:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu