Building Commissioning Services - Allied Health Building Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

This building will allow Wiregrass Georgia Technical College to provide new classroom space for 7 new medical programs and 17 existing programs to support the Governor's strategic industry initiatives and WGTC's Strategic Plan. Valdosta serves as the regional medical center for South Georgia with more than 79 health care industries including hospitals, home health agencies, nursing and assisted living facilities in the area. In addition, more than 650 physicians' offices are located within the region employing literally thousands of medical personnel. Many of these medical entities have high employment turnover causing a constant shortage of qualified health care personnel. Employee turnover due to job change, promotions, retirement, relocation, or termination causes a shortage in every area of the health care sector. To compound the issue, area technical colleges that train the vast majority of the health professionals have waiting lists for students to enter health programs. Due to a shortage of funds for instructors, classroom space, and equipment, potential students can wait for up to and more than a year to enroll in health care programs at the technical colleges.