Workforce Development
As Northwest Georgia prepares to welcome more than 20,000 new jobs over the next decade, the need for a highly skilled and educated workforce has never been more urgent. Dalton State is working with strategic partners to ensure the region is ready—not just to meet that demand, but to lead in innovation, talent development and economic growth.
Through industry-aligned academic programs and robust career development services, Dalton State is equipping students and professionals with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. By collaborating with local employers, government agencies, and community organizations, we’re building a talent pipeline that supports sustainable growth and strengthens the region’s competitive edge. Together, we’re shaping a future where opportunity and innovation go hand-in-hand.
Partner with us.
Let’s shape the future of our region and state together.
Building Talent Pipelines
Through articulation agreements with partner institutions, providing real-world experiences for our students, and creating employment pathways for graduates, Dalton is building and strengthening talent pipelines that support the workforce needs of our region and state.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship means creating a culture where bold ideas are encouraged, collaboration thrives, and problem-solving is second nature. At Dalton State, we empower students, faculty, and community partners to think creatively, take calculated risks, and transform challenges into opportunities. Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, we cultivate the mindset and skills needed to launch ventures, drive economic growth, and lead change across industries. Innovation isn’t just a goal—it’s a way of thinking that fuels progress and unlocks potential.
Dalton State’s Maker Space, located in Sequoya 104, is designed to give students, staff, and faculty access to equipment and resources that can help make their ideas into reality. It offers 3D printing, t-shirt printing, embroidery, laser cutting/engraving, woodworking, vinyl cutting, electronics workstation/soldering, Autodesk Fusion suite for 3D modeling, and more.
Dalton State’s Entrepreneurship minor and courses are designed to create an innovation-focused mindset and prepares business majors to start, manage and grow their own entrepreneurial ventures. The mindset also produces entrepreneurial leaders in all aspects of business, including working in financial careers, as franchise owners, and in careers in economic development.
Dalton State hosts an office of the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, which offers access to confidential, no-cost, one-on-one professional business consulting for Georgia small business owners who want to grow or start their business. Their consultants have earned advanced degrees in business or management and have extensive practical experience to help both emerging and growing businesses design strategies to make better business decisions and reach their goals.
