TRANSFORMING GEORGIA THROUGH APPRENTICESHIPS
2024 HDCI ANNUAL REPORT
Gregory C. Dozier
Commissioner
Technical College System of Georgia
MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER
TCSG MISSION
WHAT IS TCSG, HDCI, APPRENTICE GA?
To recruit and grow a globally competitive workforce through education, training, and career services for Georgia’s citizens, employers, and communities.
TCSG
The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) oversees the state’s technical colleges, adult literacy programs, and a host of economic and workforce development programs. TCSG provides a unified system of technical education, adult education, and customized business and industry training through programs that use the best available technology and offer easy access to lifelong education and training for Georgians and corporate citizens.
HDCI
As Georgia’s first-ever state-funded apprenticeship initiative, HDCI provides direct funding to Georgia employers to incentivize the creation and expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs throughout the state. It aims to both upskill Georgians and increase skilled talent within Georgia’s high-demand industries.
APPRENTICE GA
A component of TCSG, Apprentice Georgia is the State of Georgia’s apprenticeship promotion and expansion arm, focused on bringing apprenticeship opportunities to businesses and communities across the state.
Southern Regional Technical College President Jim Glass, Apprentice Logan Poppell, and Southern Regional Technical College Program Director and instructor
r)
Corey Nawolski (l to
WHAT IS A REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM?
A Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is a robust & comprehensive training model that helps employers transform and develop entry-level employees into high-skilled talent. RAPs serve as a strategy for building talent pipelines and retaining skilled employees.
Using a work-based learning system, RAPs aim to fulfill workforce needs by preparing individuals for skilled careers— combining paid On-the-Job Learning with Related Technical Instruction.
EMPLOYED
X Apprentices are paid employees on day one.
EARN
X Apprentices earn as they learn with competitive wage increases.
MENTORED
X Each Apprentice has a dedicated mentor on the job.
DEVELOP
X Apprentices develop and gain mastery of skills on the job.
LEARN
X Apprentices learn jobrelated skills and acquire occupational knowledge.
X Apprentices gain portable, nationallyrecognized credentials. CERTIFIED
A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) along with Georgia’s 22 technical colleges serve as the state’s largest network of registered apprenticeship sponsors.
Each technical college, in partnership with TCSG’s Office of Workforce Development, can help employers access the support and guidance needed to get a RAP off the ground, including:
X Understanding the U.S. Registered Apprenticeship Model
X Serving as a Liaison with the USDOL Office of Apprenticeship
X Serving as the Apprenticeship Sponsor and Technical Instruction Provider
X Identifying the approved Training Models & assisting with aligning models to employer needs
X Identifying Apprenticeable Occupations
X Access to Apprenticeship Funding Opportunities
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
Apprentice Ke’Andre Kelly, Technical College System of Georgia Director of Business Services Brandon Ona, and Atlanta Technical College President Dr. Victoria Seals (l to r)
STATEWIDE IMPACT
Technical College Service Areas
Albany Technical College
Atlanta Technical College
Augusta Technical College Central Georgia Technical College Chattahoochee Technical College Coastal Pines Technical College
Columbus Technical College
Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Georgia Piedmont Technical College
Gwinnett Technical College Lanier Technical College North Georgia Technical College Ogeechee Technical College Savannah Technical College South
Note: TCSG Service Area map reflects the Georgia locations of all HDCI-awarded companies. Companies may not formally be associated with the respective technical college for the purposes of the apprenticeship.
ENERGY & ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
BRIGHT FUTURESOGLETHORPE POWER CORPORATION
RAISING THE BARSHAW INDUSTRIES GROUP
Oglethorpe Power Corporation, a major energy producer in Georgia, ensures a skilled workforce by offering training for competitively compensated careers in a dynamic industry. In 2023, they partnered with the Technical College System of Georgia to create an apprenticeship program for their Plant Operations teams. This program attracts a diverse workforce by offering a college diploma and meaningful work experience.
As of June 2024, Oglethorpe Power has hired four apprentices, dispersed across three of the organization’s power generation assets. Over the next four years, these apprentices will complete technical instruction at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, with tuition reimbursement from Oglethorpe Power. Upon graduation, each apprentice will receive an Industrial System Technology Diploma and a full-time job as a plant technician.
Shaw Industries Group’s Industrial Maintenance apprenticeship program has fostered internal growth and addressed labor shortages by developing multiple tracks tailored to various facility needs. “The apprenticeship track depends on the business process in the facility, but all apprentices receive foundational skills like workplace safety and math,” says Brian Cooksey, Director of Workforce Development. Recently, 23 apprentices graduated from the program.
Shaw Industries Group emphasizes diversity, ensuring a candidate pool that includes underrepresented communities such as Latinx, women, and veterans. As a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. with about 18,000 associates worldwide, Shaw Industries Group is headquartered in Dalton, GA, and supplies a wide range of products, including carpet, resilient hardwood, tile, stone, synthetic turf, and other specialty products to residential and commercial markets.
In Georgia, the company has seen success with four apprentices in Bainbridge and 14 in Bartow County recently completing the program. They are poised to launch a cohort in Dalton this year and have plans for additional cohorts. “We’re using this model in different places around the company,” Cooksey says. “We post the apprenticeship opportunities online and share internally. We love being able to grow from within.”
Oglethorpe Power CT Fleet Director Frank Henderson, HR Workforce Engagement & Analytics Business Partner Rachel Linton, and Production Technician IV Ryan Andrews (l to r) AWARDED 03 14 APPRENTICES
CERTIFICATIONS
Healthcare, Transportation, and Manufacturing
AEROSPACE
ON THE RISE – OASIS AVIATION
One of the fastest growing industries in terms of work available and workforce required to meet those demands, aerospace and aviation seem to know no heights.
As the demand for a skilled workforce rises, it’s critical to train mechanics thoroughly and quickly to meet the needs of the industry. Oasis Aviation’s response was to partner with technical colleges and build an apprenticeship program that enables individuals to learn and work simultaneously.
From day one, apprentices are full-time employees, earning a paycheck while learning and training under supervision of a mentor. Apprentices learn the basic skills, including identifying issues as well as soldering and basic wiring, which comprise the bulk of initial issues. In a lab environment, they master the techniques before taking them to the floor and applying to real-life scenarios.
Oasis Aviation offers two apprenticeship pathways. First, the avionics program, which all apprentices must complete and equips technicians to deal with issues inside the cockpit. A literal blend of the terms “aviation” and “electronics,” the avionics installed in an aircraft or spacecraft can include engine controls, flight control systems, navigation, communications, flight recorders, lighting systems, threat detection,
fuel systems, electro-optic (EO/IR) systems, weather radar, performance monitors, and systems that carry out hundreds of other mission and flight management tasks. Every modern aircraft, spacecraft, and artificial satellite uses electronic systems of varying types to perform a range of functions pertinent to their purpose and mission.
After 12 months, apprentices undergo a national certification test administered by the ASTM. For individuals looking to expand their skill set and become an Aviation Mechanic Technician, Oasis Aviation also offers the A&P program. Larger in scope, the A&P program includes the engine, airframe, and more. The program lasts two years and participants have to take and pass an FAA regulated exam to complete the program.
As a direct result of incorporating apprenticeship programs into Oasis Aviation’s day-to-day, the company has grown from four employees to 14, almost tripling its capacity to serve clients and potential for earning revenue, all while impacting the local community and developing a stronger workforce.
Steve Olive from Oasis Aviation recognizes the underrepresentation of women in aerospace. To address this, he collaborates with local workforce programs to introduce young women to the industry.
“In Avionics, there’s a high requirement for attention to detail, and in my experience, women are excellent avionics technicians. We’re putting a thousand wires into an airplane and each wire has to go into the proper place, correctly, or nothing works. Attention to detail is key, and you have to be able to just keep driving until you find the answer. Having a diverse workforce brings numerous benefits to the aerospace industry.”
CERTIFICATIONS
All
Steve Olive Oasis Aviation Owner & President
CONSTRUCTION
TOOLS TO THRIVE - ASCENDUM MACHINERY
Unlike other featured programs, Ascendum Machinery’s apprenticeship is not partnered with a local technical college. Instead, the rigorous curriculum is developed internally with the guidance and assistance of TCSG’s Apprentice Georgia Team.
Apprentices play a crucial role in the workplace by actively engaging in on-thejob training while simultaneously learning from experienced professionals. During their apprenticeship, individuals learn technical skills, communication, problem-solving, time management, and industry practices. They gain hands-on experience, refine their abilities, and prepare for their future careers through mentorship and real-world challenges in the equipment industry.
Ascendum Machinery’s apprenticeship is not partnered with a local technical college. Instead, the rigorous curriculum is developed internally with the guidance and assistance of TCSG’s Apprentice Georgia Team. Demonstrating their commitment to the program, from the first day of the program, Ascendum Machinery invests in participating individuals by providing them with a robust tool kit—valued at approximately $25K—to use throughout their apprenticeship. Once they complete the 3-year program, the kit is theirs to keep.
Earning a livable wage while simultaneously adding a new skill set, the registered apprenticeship program enables businesses to thrive and grow because a skilled labor force gets the work done, benefiting everyone from the individual up to Georgia’s economy. In fact, Ascendum Machinery apprenticeship program’s success in Georgia has had an impact throughout the southeastern United States, as apprentices cross state lines to assist in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and more.
EMPLOYER SPOTLIGHT
Ascendum apprentices who sign a three-year contract receive a fully stocked toolbox valued at $26,000 to kickstart their careers, which they get to keep. AWARDED 3 APPRENTICES 12 INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS SKILLS DEVELOPED IN THE FIRST 90 DAYS
Hydraulics
Electrical Schematics
Rigging & Lifting
Crane Operation
Air Conditioning
Team Building
Mechanical Concepts
Forklift Operation
Hazard Analysis
Warranty
Soft Products
Pictured: Max Sims
TRANSPORTATION
ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD –KNAPHEIDE TRUCK EQUIPMENT
From supporting commercial dealerships to keeping Georgia Power vehicles running, Knapheide Truck Equipment is responsible for a huge number of trucks running through and around Georgia
Working with TCSG and Southern Cresent Technical College, Knapheide Truck Equipment has simultaneously filled positions while actively upskilling individuals, creating a pipeline that sustains the workforce at all levels. The program offers a symbiotic relationship between employee and employer: by supporting education and training of the employee, the employer develops a valuable resource that provides ongoing labor. As the apprenticeship program takes three years to complete, Knapheide Truck Equipment invests time and training into each individual and in return develops a valuable resource: a competent and consistent labor force.
Having started in 2023, the apprenticeship program is still new but the demonstrated success in Georgia has incited Knapheide to expand, encouraging their locations in other states to reach out to technical colleges and establish apprenticeship programs.
COLLEGE SPOTLIGHT
Dedicated Apprenticeship Specialist at Coastal Pines Technical College
Mr. Demery joined the Coastal Pines Apprenticeship Team in April 2024. Prior to his current position, he served on the Campus Police team for seven years. He was named Staff Member of the Year in 2023.
Mr. Demery had always aspired to move into a professional position in academic affairs with Coastal Pines Technical College and the Apprenticeship Program Specialist position was the perfect move for
CPTC Apprenticeship Coordinator Kimberly Burgess, CPTC President Lonnie Roberts, CPTC Apprenticeship Completer/CDL student James Selph, South Georgia Cotton Gin’s Gary Evans, and Apprenticeship Program Specialist Willie Demery (l to r)
HEALTHCARE
TRANSFORMING WORKPLACES, TRANSFORMING LIVESCURTIS V. COOPER PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (CVCPHC)
“Working at Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care, Inc allowed me to be surrounded by the world I loved. I developed a deep understanding of the healthcare system and saw firsthand the impact that medical professionals had on people’s lives … armed with my passion, resilience, and the unwavering support of my loved ones, I am ready to make a difference, one patient at a time.”
Michelle
Ingram
Medical Assistant Apprentice with CVCPHC
Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care, Inc. is committed to improving the health status of all individuals in Savannah-Chatham County, especially those with limited financial resources and high-risk populations. In addition to providing convenient access, high quality and comprehensive health care by qualified, culturally sensitive staff, CVCPHC has also dedicated attention to improving the lives of those who work there.
Sarah Momodu, Special Programs Manager at CVCPHC, had the vision to upskill her current workforce to address the nursing shortage in the healthcare industry. Through the support of grant funds provided through the assistance of TCSG, and a partnership with ACC Training Institute, the registered apprenticeship program took off. Currently, four apprentices are paired with mentors and are learning through a combination of course study and hands-on training in their chosen specialities.
With ongoing shortages in the healthcare industry nationwide, the incorporation of the apprenticeship program has proven to be beneficial for recruitment. This is because CVCHC has shown a strong commitment to valuing their employees by offering opportunities for continuing education and career advancement.
AWARDED 02 07 APPRENTICES INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS
APPRENTICE SPOTLIGHT
Atlanta Technical College
In recent years, Atlanta’s growing demand for skilled medical professionals prompted Atlanta Technical College to collaborate with Grady Memorial Hospital, a major regional healthcare provider, to develop a Registered Apprenticeship Program. This initiative trained Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) to become Patient Care Technicians (PCTs), addressing the increasing need for qualified healthcare workers in the city. By upskilling the existing population, it provided wage increases and job opportunities for those working in the field but also offered the region more skilled workers during a time where demand was at an all time high.
Corbett Davis served as a firefighter for many years prior to joining the team at Atlanta Technical College. He was well aware of the labor shortage for EMTs, Paramedics, and CNAs. This unique perspective paired with connections at fire departments for multiple municipalities inspired the idea of creating a program at Atlanta Technical College where individuals could fill this crucial gap. Atlanta Technical College and TCSG created a pathway for individuals to upskill in the workforce and since its inception, the program impacts are being felt in many ways in Georgia:
X Individuals are able to earn a better wage.
X Cities are spending less money on training EMTs and they’ve been able to use those resources for supplies.
X Hospitals are getting the support they need to reduce overload when EMTs can properly assist in the field.
X Atlanta Technical college is also working on adding a paramedic-level certification program.
City of Decatur Fire Rescue’s Andrew Daniels (l) and Katari Fannin
$7,500.00 $720,000.00 $57,500.00 $42,500.00 $10,000.00 $20,000.00
$37,500.00 $7,500.00 $55,000.00 $40,000.00 $30,000.00 $40,000.00 $30,000.00 $20,000.00 $97,500.00
COMPANY
5 Points Electrical
ACC Career Training Institute
Ace Electric
Alternative Energy Southeast
Art Plumbing Company
Ascendum Machinery Inc.
Bonduelle Fresh America dba Salad Time in state of GA
Capital City Electrical Services, LLC
Current Edge Solutions, LLC
Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care Inc.
DeKalb County School District
DP Jones Electrical Company
Emcon Services, Inc.
Emerald Transportation Solutions
Enlightening Electric, Inc.
Galgon HVAC & Mechanical Service, Inc.
Gold Mech Inc.
H.A. SACK Company LLC
Howell, Inc.
Jered LLC
KIRCHHOFF Automotive Atlanta
Knapheide Truck Equipment
Maxair Mechanical. LLC
McGovern Media, LLC
MetroPower, Inc.
Oasis Aviation Maintenance, Inc.
Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Patterson Pump Company
Penco Electric
Ranger Manufacturing, LLC
Republic Services
Sapphire Companies, LLC
Sharp Electrical Contractors
Shaw Industries Group, Inc.
Silver Sheet Metal, Inc.
Silvermoon Electric
Union City Fire Department
Willis Mechanical Inc.
TECHNICAL COLLEGE SPONSOR
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$27,500.00
$5,000.00
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$22,500.00
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ACC Career Training Institute
Ace Electric
Ascendum Machinery
Atlanta Chapter IEC
BloomBoard, Inc
City of Union City Fire Department
Gold Mechanical
McGovern Media, LLC
Mechanical Contractors Association of GA
Aviation
TECHNICAL COLLEGE SPONSOR
Georgia Northwestern Technical College
$5,000.00 $7,500.00
WHAT’S NEXT?
In May 2024, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed into law SB 497 to further expand the impact of the HDCI program in Georgia. With the support of the General Assembly and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, this law updates the High Demand Career Initiatives (HDCI) to become the High Demand Apprenticeship Program (HDAP). It is projected to more than double the number of apprentices created through this program and simplify the award processes for Georgia businesses. The new HDAP program will also expand priority to youth and individuals in adult education programs as well as establish the Public Service Apprenticeship Program to further increase apprenticeships in local and state governments.
2024 HDCI Annual Report
Transforming Georgia Through Apprenticeships
