The ribbon cutting for Gwinnett Tech's new international education center drew business leaders from around the county. Photo courtesy of Gwinnett Technical College.

Gwinnett Technical College has opened an international education center to offer language courses and training that will help workers stay competitive in an increasingly global environment.

“Our International Education Center was created to provide the progressive education and training that students of all ages will need to be successful in an international world and workplace,” said Sharon Bartels, Gwinnett Tech’s president.

The facility opened Sept. 29 at Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth, where it occupies more than 32,600 square feet and 23 classrooms on two floors.  

The mall is a gathering point for Gwinnett’s diverse community and a central location for international business, said Joe Allen, executive director of the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District, which promotes the area's community and business development.

“By placing the International Education Center here, Gwinnett Tech understands that the Gwinnett Place CID remains a thriving hub for international populations and a place for worldwide business investment,” Mr. Allen said in a video of the opening on the Gwinnett Tech Web site.

Business and education officials from Gwinnett County were on hand to witness the event.

The new facility will host many of the college’s continuing education classes, including workforce training for employees of local businesses.  

The campus also has a full-scale recruitment and information center for Gwinnett Tech and testing facilities to support language classes. 

English as a Second Language, or ESL, courses began Oct. 6 and computer, construction and business training courses will also start in the early fall.

Ms. Bartels said one of the benefits of the new center and Gwinnett Tech’s continuing education offerings is they allow students to quickly target a specific program in and get back out into the job market quickly.

Carl Swearingen, board chairman for the Technical College System of Georgia, said the new center shows the state's commitment to providing quality education for all citizens, helping them build confidence and find jobs in a time of economic uncertainty. 

"In today's economic situation, this is what education is all about," he said. 

For more information about class offerings at the International Education Center, call (770) 995-9697.