Middle Georgia Technical College

Robins Air Force Base, MGTC Partner to Provide Training for Military Spouses

Warner Robins - Through a partnership with Robins Air Force Base, Middle Georgia Technical College (MGTC) is offering continuing education training courses for Military spouses. Students were able to enroll in one of two 10-week courses to learn more about Microsoft Office programs and to enhance job skills.

Participants received detailed instruction on Microsoft Office 2007 applications such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access. At the end of the course, students received a certificate verifying the continuing education credits earned.

Two courses were offered during Summer Quarter. One class, which ended mid-July, was held during morning hours at the main campus in Warner Robins and an evening class, ending in mid-August, is being held at the Corder Road campus.

Philip Howard, MGTC Business and Industry Services instructor, facilitated the morning class at the main campus.

"These students have been a pleasure to work with," he said. "Many of the students have different reasons for being here but it is all about self-improvement and constantly updating your skills. Some of the students have even expressed an interest in entering a diploma or degree program here at MGTC."

All of the students in the class are spouses of active duty military; several of which are currently deployed.

Brandon Worthy, one of two males in the class, took the class to learn more about Microsoft Office programs.

"With the skills that Mr. Howard has taught us, I have been able to create a statistical sheet in Excel," Worthy said. "I have mapped out all Fantasy Five lottery numbers since 1994. As a business venture, I hope to take this information and create a website to share my numbers predictions with others."

Mindy Masters, who is originally from Texas, is using this opportunity to add to her resume.

"It is always nice to add something to your resume," said Masters. "I will be able to upgrade my skills and have a certificate to present to future employers verifying my work."

Fathma Carlisle, a native of Kenya, is using the skills she learned in the course to help her husband run his business.

"I help out my husband as an administrative assistant, somewhat," Carlisle said. "I help him by keeping records for his business and I am building a database for business contacts. All of this power I have acquired has come from this class."

Many students in the class commented on the instructional style of the course.

"Mr. Howard is like a techie Jeff Foxworthy," said student Sandra Meadows. "He brought humor to the lessons and there was no fear and apprehension. I have a tech-phobia so that is why I took this class. It is forcing me to get on the computer and experiment and do things I have not done before."

These classes were made available to spouses of enlisted personnel and were funded by a grant to the Family Support Center at Robins Air Force Base.

Students participating in the class included Fathma Carlisle, Sandra Meadows, Brandon Worthy, Susan Abraham, Ronette Jordan, Mindy Masters, Karima Luckey, Cheryl Sherman, Krishna Smith, Susan Lynn Lilly, Patricia Berrie, Elsy Matos, and Ferney Priest.

Continuing education courses are available on a variety of topics to the general public, as well as through special business and industry training. If you would like more information on the classes available through the continuing education program at Middle Georgia Technical College, please call 478.988.6810 or log on to www.middlegatech.edu

Instructor Phil Howard (standing) assists students Mindy Masters (left) and Patricia Berrie with a question.