Macon, Ga.—The Charles H. Jones Family Foundation is investing in high-quality, technical training and equipment at Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) by awarding a workforce development grant of $250,000. This gift will support local employer and workforce needs in high-demand career training programs.
In April, state and local leaders and Robins Air Force Base (RAFB) officials joined CGTC in announcing the relocation of aerospace training programs and a portion of the RAFB commodities workload to the former Boeing facility at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport in Macon. The Jones Family Foundation award will support the expansion of CGTC’s Aviation Maintenance and Aircraft Structural programs and the addition of the Commercial Truck Driving and Logistics programs at the College’s Macon campus.
This is the second major gift the Jones Family Foundation has awarded Central Georgia Technical College. In 2014, a $400,000 gift afforded CGTC the opportunity to purchase and remodel Macon’s former Toys R Us building and to transform the building into the Charles H. Jones Advanced Technology Center. The Center has proven to be a significant industrial recruitment asset and has supported the growth of manufacturing in Macon-Bibb by providing responsive services to new and existing industries. Local employers such as Georgia Power, Kumho Tire, Interfor, Armstrong, and Irving Consumer Products have used the facility for either new employee or incumbent worker training.
“The College is extremely grateful to once again receive the support of the Jones Family Foundation,” said Dr. Ivan H. Allen, president of CGTC. “Our aerospace, logistics, and transportation training programs are critical to the local economy. These are growing industries with expanding job opportunities all across Georgia. CGTC will use this generous gift to strengthen the College’s effort to bolster the workforce and support employers.”
“We are pleased to partner with Central Georgia Technical College to provide opportunities for members of our community,” said Dwight Jones, chairman of the Charles H. Jones Family Foundation. “Technical education is a critical need and provides an excellent pathway for Georgians to enter the workforce and prosper in our state’s thriving economy.”
For more information on enrolling at CGTC to pursue a high-demand career field, log on to www.centralgatech.edu or call 478-988-6800. With multiple financial aid options, including the HOPE Grant and HOPE Career Grant, qualified students can attend at little to no cost and graduate debt free.