October 1, 2022
Acuity Brands, City of Atlanta Team to Boost Technical Job Training
Public-private pilot program will introduce trainees to three occupations; Electrician, CDL Driver, and Lab Technician.
ATLANTA — Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens – in conjunction with Atlanta Technical College and Acuity Brands – have announced significant investments in local workforce development and training. These investments build upon Mayor Dickens initiatives to create a robust and educated workforce to move Atlanta forward. These investments include a $1.8 million bestowment to Atlanta Technical College’s Center for Workforce Innovation as well as a $50,000 contribution – alongside a $150,000 promise from Acuity Brands – for the creation of a workforce development pilot program.
“Developing a robust workforce to meet the needs of our expanding city is imperative and I’m thankful to Atlanta Technical College and Acuity Brands for seeing and understanding the vision we have for Atlanta,” said Mayor Dickens. “We are committed to making Atlanta the best place to live and raise a family, and that drive requires that we educate and empower our residents to meet the needs of the growing opportunities in the city.”
The $1.8 million contribution will be made for the completion of Atlanta Technical College’s Office of Workforce Innovation with funds coming from The Gulch Redevelopment Fund. This funding will allow one of the City’s largest workforce development partners (ATC/Technical College System of Georgia) to expand specialty training capacity and add innovation to the public workforce system including pilot programming, a greater number of trainees and expanded high demand skills training.
“Atlanta Technical College is honored to partner with Acuity Brands and the City of Atlanta as we work together to provide career exploration, educational, and training opportunities to Atlanta’s youth,” stated ATC President, Dr. Victoria Seals. “At Atlanta Technical College, we are committed to preparing the ‘whole student,’ and this program is a critical cog in the wheel of ending generational poverty in our region.”
In addition to the $1.8 million contribution, Mayor Dickens has committed $50,000 to a public-private partnership with Acuity Brands for the creation of a pilot workforce program. Acuity Brands has pledged $150,000 to fund this pilot program that will introduce trainees to three high-demand occupations; Electrician, CDL Driver, and Lab Technician. Trainees will receive an overview of the three service areas as well as career exploration with key companies in the industry. Funding from the city will be used to pay participant training, transportation and support as deemed appropriate for this pilot program by Atlanta Technical College. This initiative leans on Mayor Dickens focus on not only training, but also providing stackable credentials and career ladders to residents, which this program will provide.
“Acuity Brands is honored to work hand in hand with Mayor Dickens, the City of Atlanta and Atlanta Technical College to give Atlanta youth the opportunity to create pathways to meaningful careers,” said Neil Ashe, Chairman, President, and CEO, Acuity Brands, Inc. “Our goal is to offer Atlanta youth an opportunity to gain essential skills to pursue much-needed professions as electricians, lab technicians, and truck drivers within our community.”
These investments provide vital training and development opportunities for the city’s residents.
