Service Industry Academy

The old saying "the customer is always right" is more important in employment than ever before. Today, one in three Georgians works in a service job, and when retail is included, service jobs account for more than half of the nation’s jobs.

As part of a statewide initiative with service industry employers across Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia and Georgia Quick-Start have sought to professionalize workers in the service sector by designing a technical-certificate-of-credit program that prepares graduates to enter the job market, possessing the necessary communication and interpersonal skills, along with the technical skills essential to providing quality, frontline customer service. That basic curriculum has been expanded to include specific service industries such as healthcare, insurance, and hospitality.

The Academy’s commitment to professionalizing the service industry led to the creation of this College’s Service Industry Academy in 1997. The Academy works closely in partnership with businesses, the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Valley Partnership, the Local Development Authority, other government agencies, and workforce-development initiatives to identify, assess, and train workers to meet the highest industry standards.

Businesses and industries know a professional has arrived for work when that person is a graduate of our Certified Customer Service Specialist Program, the Certified Life and Health Insurance Specialist Program, the Culinary Nutrition Assistant Program, and the Financial Service Professional Program.

HOPE grants are available to Georgia residents for these programs if you qualify.