As companies throughout Georgia address workforce challenges, Georgia Power’s Education & Workforce Development team is finding innovative ways to reach students with career exposure and experiential learning opportunities. Here are a few examples of how we’re collaborating with partners across the state to build a skilled, diverse talent pipeline:

Virtual Reality in the Classroom

Georgia Power recently partnered with Transfr VR to bring exciting, skilled trade simulations to over 300 Atlanta Public Schools (APS) Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) 8th grade middle school students as they explore in-demand careers. In addition, 9th grade students enrolled in the Workforce Ready pathway have access to this emerging technology for career exploration.

Each month the Work-Based Learning (WBL) Coordinators in APS collaborate with the 8th and 9th grade CTAE instructors to schedule exploration days where students learn employability skills and use virtual reality to provide hands-on, interactive experiences in a broad range of career fields. Using virtual reality for career awareness and exposure is a “win-win” for both the student and educator. To date, we’ve reached 50% of the APS CTAE 8th and 9th grade students – and we’re on target to reach the other 50% by May 2023.

WBL Pilot Program with Newton College & Career Academy

Georgia Power’s pilot program with Work-Based Learning (WBL) at Newton College & Career Academy (NCCA) is connecting high school students with experiential learning experiences. WBL is essential in helping identify, train, and employ students to enter Georgia’s emerging workforce. The students participating in the pilot program benefit from gaining work experience aligned with technical skills learned in their related CTAE courses – and these students enter the workforce with advanced skills and a competitive advantage over other candidates.

In January 2023, Andrew Pitchford and Collin Norris, seniors at Newton College and Career Academy, participated in new hire lineworker orientation. Andrew and Collin will work through the remainder of the school year at the Madison and Minola Operating Headquarters participating in hands-on training and learning how to make a difference while serving our customers. We are excited about the partnership with Newton College & Career Academy and look forward to collaborating with other schools across the state to provide similar opportunities for WBL students.