Georgia Power Named ACTE Business-Education Partnership Award Winner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2021
Contacts:
Megan Kmiotek
mkmiotek@acteonline.org
Georgia Power Named ACTE Business-Education Partnership Award Winner
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and its Board of Directors is pleased to announce Georgia Power as the ACTE Business-Education Partnership Award Winner. The Business-Education Partnership Award celebrates the contributions and achievements of schools and businesses that aid in the development and maintenance of partnerships supporting high-quality career and technical education (CTE).
Recognizing workforce needs such as Electrical Line Workers, Georgia Power understands the necessity of a strong educational system that cultivates the skilled workforce that attracts businesses to the state and the impact those efforts have on economic development in Georgia. Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) needs strong business and industry partnerships to grow and develop pathways on both state and local levels.
Georgia Power and Georgia CTAE have been partners for over twenty years. However, new relationships and opportunities for engagement have emerged based on the needs of the state. From developing opportunities within a variety of advisory boards to working with CTSO’s, Georgia Power is always at the table to help improve CTAE. Both parties recognize the same understanding of the importance of workforce development in Georgia and how it supports? economic growth and prosperity. Georgia Power’s investments locally and regionally strengthen their position as a statewide partner for Georgia CTAE. They are a foundational business and industry partner, whose support has enabled Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education to grow and develop into what it is today.
Georgia Power was part of the Georgia Energy and Industrial Construction Consortium (GEICC) collaborative to establish the CTAE energy pathway. This pathway represents employers across the electric and gas utility industry as well as private contractors. This engagement started the relationship with the Georgia DOE which has spearheaded multiple opportunities for Georgia Power to support high-quality CTAE programs in Georgia.
First, the Energy Pathway was developed and implemented based on standards that are aligned with expectations from our partners in the Energy Industry. Clear guidelines for “Should We Start an Energy Pathway Here” were written and published. Educator externships for Energy Instructors are provided free of charge (including hotel expenses) so that participants can experience all aspects of Georgia Power’s business model. In 2020, approximately $240,000 in Georgia Power Foundation grants were administered to workforce development programs in 14 school districts across the state support CTAE programs. Collaboration between GEICC, GA CTAE and the Technical College System of GA creates opportunities for students to have access to dual enrollment options that align K-12, post-secondary, and entrance to workforce. The company provides grant funding to districts that pursue the Economic Development Partnership designation which recognizes a school district with an economic development culture, stakeholder partnerships, and pathway alignment that meets the need of their local and regional labor market. Georgia Power engages high school students as interns (WBL) as well as serves as a resource to GaDOE CTAE at a corporate level when their skills and abilities are aligned with GaDOE CTAE needs. Joseph Lillyblad, Georgia Power’s Manager of Education and Workforce Development currently chairs the CTAE Business and Industry Advisory Council focusing on innovation and the path forward for CTAE as well as serving on GA FIRST Robotics board of directors, providing leadership and investment in the organizations. Georgia Power maintains a significant manpower and financial investment in GA CTSO’s.
The relationship between the Georgia DOE CTAE Division and Georgia Power is the pinnacle of a business and industry partner for GA CTAE. The partnership impacts student success daily in Georgia.
Georgia Power will be recognized alongside other national ACTE award winners virtually on November 30, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. ET, at the annual ACTE Awards Gala. For more information on the Excellence Awards and the Awards Gala, visit https://www.acteonline.org/awards.
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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.