STATESBORO, Ga. () — The state of Georgia was awarded a $6.1 million grant for apprenticeships programs at technical colleges within the state.

Apprenticeship programs provide students with work-based training that offers invaluable hands-on experience. Tal Loos, Vice President of Economic Development at Savannah Tech, noted that these programs at Savannah Tech enable students to quicken their career advancement.

“It allows us to extend more support to both students and companies, helping to create a bridge that strengthens the increasingly essential workforce pipeline in today’s market,” Loos explained.

At $6.2 million, this federal grant marks the largest in Georgia’s apprenticeship program history. Loos emphasized that this funding helps ease financial burdens for students.

“The significant aspect is our ability to reduce expenses like tuition, tools, or even transportation,” Loos mentioned. “In specific programs like welding, purchasing safety equipment, such as a welder helmet, is crucial. With this funding, we can alleviate those costs, enabling individuals to join the program, thrive, and excel at work.”

Danny Mitchell, Apprenticeship Program Manager for the Technical College System of Georgia, highlighted that the dedicated fund enhances the quality of apprenticeship programs statewide.

“An apprenticeship program can reveal new opportunities to young men and women,” Mitchell stated. “This funding allows us to concentrate on perfecting the apprenticeship programs and guiding youths into high-demand careers across the state.”

Officials told that this fund will help support the growth the Georgia apprenticeship programs have been receiving over the past few years.