Bloomberg Philanthropies Makes $10 Million Investment
Warner Robins, GA — Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) today announced that more than $100 million has been committed through public and private investment to expand high-demand healthcare workforce programs, enhance student support services, and invest in cutting-edge training equipment for dually enrolled high school students at the new regional STEM/Allied Health Academy in Houston County. While the Academy will serve as the primary location, CGTC will facilitate partnerships across its eleven-county service area to maximize the opportunities for students in the communities where they reside.
Funding sources include the Georgia General Assembly and the Governor’s Office, the Houston County Board of Education, the Houston County Board of Commissioners, and a $10 million investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies. This support will significantly accelerate CGTC’s mission to provide accessible, affordable, and career-focused education to the communities it serves. This program is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ first-of-its-kind initiative that pairs public education systems and hospitals to create high schools in 13 communities around the nation that will directly graduate students into high-demand healthcare jobs with family-sustaining wages.
“The transformative investments from all of the stakeholders will change the career trajectory, enhance the earning power, and spur generational change for countless students and their families across our region,” said Dr. Ivan H. Allen, President of Central Georgia Technical College. “All of the local and state partners share the belief that workforce development is the backbone of thriving communities, and we are so pleased that Bloomberg Philanthropies has chosen to support our collective vision as we implement our innovative approach of collaborating with school districts and healthcare partners to provide quality healthcare programs to high school students across central Georgia.”
Working through the CGTC Foundation, the College will use funds to support healthcare education programs throughout Central Georgia.
Students will be able to receive training in programs like Nursing, Surgical Technology, Pharmacy Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, and many more. Students will not only receive classroom training, but will also be able to participate in hands-on clinical opportunities at world-class healthcare facilities such as Atrium Health Navicent, Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Macon Medical Center, and Piedmont Macon North Hospital who are partnering with the College and School District for this initiative. Students will graduate high school with a college credential that will qualify them to immediately enter the healthcare workforce with a good-paying job, but without any college debt.
Eligible high school students will be dually enrolled with CGTC and will begin initial coursework for healthcare programs in Fall 2026. Funding for this initiative will allow CGTC to offer real-world experience in simulation labs, hire skilled faculty members, and provide support grants to students who are participating in the program. Over the next five years, CGTC expects to serve over 2,000 students from school districts across central Georgia.
According to Dr. Mark Scott, CGTC’s Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, “The total investment in this initiative represents a strong vote of confidence in our students, our faculty, and the future of healthcare education in our region. Our partnership with the Houston County School District, healthcare providers, secondary education partners throughout the region, and Bloomberg Philanthropies signifies our strong commitment to ensuring a solid and well-qualified healthcare workforce for the next generation.”
