On Wednesday, the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce held a Lunch N Learn headlined by Southern Union Community College (SUCC). The presentation given by SUCC staff members centered heavily around finding and educating the future manufacturing workforce.

SUCC announced that credit enrollment in the technical division was up 21.8 percent with a goal to increase enrollment by 300 percent.

Yes, that is a lofty goal, but manufacturing companies that have plants in our area need a large pool of educated candidates to draw from.

Having an option in our backyard puts high school-aged kids at an advantage. SUCC offers many programs that benefit students approaching graduation, such as dual enrollment where they can earn college credit while still attending high school.

Chambers County Career Technology Center, Valley High School and Springwood School are among the many schools that have students taking advantage of dual enrollment at SUCC.

This opportunity alone provides a tremendous opportunity for an outgoing senior to begin their college career and save a little money in the process.

Dual enrollment is just one example of the programs offered at SUCC, a program that every qualified student should take advantage of.

Chambers and the surrounding counties, including our neighbors in Troup County, offer a high volume of manufacturing opportunities. Programs such as those offered at SUCC help ensure these manufacturers remain in our communities and work to provide more jobs.

We can all agree that having these jobs benefit everyone and SUCC should be applauded for their dedication to their role in the growth of Chambers County.