Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms recently announced the establishment of the Center for Workforce Innovation, a jobs training program focused on outcomes-based education for high-demand careers, according to a press release.
The Center, which will be housed at Atlanta Technical College, is the result of a public-private partnership with the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Committee for Progress and Atlanta Technical College. Initial funding for the Center was provided by Delta Air Lines, The Home Depot, SunTrust, Intercontinental Exchange, and Georgia Power, with additional support from McKinsey & Co. and other Atlanta-based institutions.
The Center’s five partnering corporations will collectively invest an initial $2 million to pilot three career tracks including aircraft technical skills, information technology, and skilled trades such as carpentry and electrical construction and maintenance. The $2 million investment will support high-quality instructors, a tuition balance forgiveness program and wraparound services including transportation vouchers. Year Up Atlanta and career tech-program Per Scholas will also partner to ensure that students obtain meaningful outcomes. In addition, WorkSource Atlanta, the City of Atlanta’s workforce development agency, will provide tuition assistance of up to $10,000 to qualified students, and all students will be eligible for additional dollars through the HOPE Career Grant. The Center for Workforce Innovation will launch its pilot program with up to 200 inaugural students in the fall of 2019.
The primary distinction between education and economic success is opportunity, said city leaders. This innovative center will help ensure Atlanta’s students not only have the skills to compete, but exposure to potential jobs and careers. The Center is a key result of McKinsey & Co.’s pro bono partnership with the Atlanta Committee for Progress to develop a feasible strategy to establish best practices and design high impact initiatives with regard to workforce development.
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