FHTC! receives grant from GA Power Foundation

From Here to Career! Academy receives a grant from the Georgia Power Foundation
Posted on 12/20/2019
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Catoosa County’s From Here to Career! Academy receives a grant from the Georgia Power Foundation.  

The Georgia Power Foundation, Inc., awarded the From Here to Career! Academy a $5,000 grant.  The Georgia Power Foundation provided $1.3M in educational grants to 89 schools in 2018. 

According to the Georgia Power Foundation’s website, “Education is at the core of the Workforce Development strategy. Our goal is twofold--to increase graduation rates and ensure a trained, motivated workforce for Georgia Power and other energy businesses in the state, and to create targeted programs and cultivate a pool of talented candidates for hard-to-fill jobs. At the high-school level, we focus on energy industry education and preparation for post-secondary education. We align career pathways to a specific career, skills and abilities for a student to be successful.” 

Catoosa County Public Schools launched the first From Here to Career! Academy pathway in Industrial Systems Technology, Mechatronics, and Robotics at Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s Catoosa County Campus in August 2019.  The Academy’s mission aligns with Georgia Power Foundation’s goal to align career pathways at the high-school level to create a talent pipeline for highly-skilled jobs. 

Superintendent Denia Reese explained, “Students in the Mechatronics Cohort are dual enrolled, so they are earning college and high school credit simultaneously.  Students will graduate high school with technical college credentials and work experience that will make them highly qualified for excellent paying high-demand careers in the region.”

The Academy has a Board of Directors with the majority of members representing businesses.  In addition to technical skills, From Here to Career! Academy students are participating in Professional Skills Development.  Superintendent Reese discussed how the Academy will use private funds and grants, like the Georgia Power Foundation Grant to provide professional skills development activities and experiences.  Superintendent Reese commented, “Our business partners have placed a very high priority on soft skills development.  In addition to instruction, we will provide opportunities for students to practice collaboration, critical thinking, and communication in real-world experiences and competitions.”

Members of the Board of Directors received the $5,000 grant from Georgia Power’s Scott Skinner.  Sandy Matheson, Primary Healthcare Center, is treasurer for the Academy’s Board of Directors.  She said, “We really appreciate the Georgia Power Foundation Grant and other businesses and the community who have supported the From Here to Career! Academy Initiative.  With financial support, we can provide opportunities outside typical classroom activities to ensure that our graduates are highly qualified with technical and professional skills to succeed in college and career. 

Pictured:  Sheriff Gary Sisk; Amy Jackson, Chamber of Commerce President/CEO; Sandy Matheson, Primary Healthcare Center and From Here to Career! Academy Board of Directors Treasurer; Scott Skinner, Georgia Power Company; Senator Jeff Mullis; Rick Partain, First Bank; Representative Dewayne Hill.

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