DALTON, Ga. — Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) has expanded its growing Construction Management program to the Whitfield Murray Campus (WMC) in Dalton, in response to increased student demand and industry workforce needs.
Previously offered only at the Gordon County Campus (GCC) in Calhoun, the program is now mirrored at WMC, providing greater access for both Dual Enrollment and traditional students across the region.
Program director and instructor Donny Holmes said enrollment nearly doubled in 2020, rising from 28 to 54 students in just one year.
“We duplicated classes on different days to try to place all of the students in a class,” Holmes said. “This has been going on every year since then, so we decided to expand our program to Dalton to absorb some of the student load at the Gordon County Campus with a new instructor on the Whitfield Murray Campus.”
Between the two campuses, enrollment has now reached nearly full capacity with 70 students currently enrolled, according to Aaron Wade, Construction Management instructor at WMC.
“GNTC has set the bar high for Construction Management,” Wade said.
Wade noted that his class includes several Dual Enrollment students taking advantage of Georgia’s statewide program, which allows eligible high school students in GNTC’s nine-county service area to earn college and high school credits simultaneously.
GNTC’s Construction Management program prepares students for careers such as construction manager, supervisor and foreman. Students can pursue an associate degree, diploma or certificates in Construction Management Apprentice, Construction Manager and Green Building Technician.
The curriculum blends online learning and hands-on training, with courses such as Site Layout Footings and Foundations, Ceiling and Roof Framing, Construction Drafting, CAD Fundamentals, Construction Contracting, Construction Print Reading, Residential Estimating Review, Professional Tool Use and Safety, and a Carpentry Internship.
“Our class schedules will differ at the two campuses,” Holmes explained. “Typically, a student will start on one campus and stay with that cohort of students until graduation. Occasionally, a student may take classes at both campuses.”
Holmes expects the addition of a second instructor and campus location to fuel continued growth, while also increasing the program’s visibility within the community.
“Construction in this area is booming, and the workforce demand in this field continues to grow,” he said.
Students at WMC have already begun hands-on work. One of their first projects has been constructing a tool storage room within the new lab space — a top priority, according to Wade.
A 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran, Wade previously operated heavy equipment in a civil engineering squadron that built roadways and maintained runways. After his military service, he transitioned into residential remodeling and construction. A Dalton native, he says teaching allows him to pass on the pride of skilled work.
“I love the job satisfaction I get from my work,” Wade said. “I try to teach this concept to students so they appreciate their hard work and be proud of their accomplishments.”
GNTC serves 13,775 individuals through credit and noncredit programs annually, with 8,836 students enrolled in credit courses and more than 4,900 participating in adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start programs.
For more information about GNTC programs, visit www.GNTC.edu.
Pictured Below:
1 — Construction Management student Rodrigo Ozaeta helps construct the tool storage room in the new lab at GNTC’s Whitfield Murray Campus.
2 — (From left) Aaron Wade, Construction Management instructor at GNTC, watches students Logan Stafford and Ty Stalling measure wood for a construction project.
