ATC & MetroPower’s First Class Goes to Work

Front row: Instructor Greg Ussery, Jacob White, Robert Sidney, Eric Hairston, and Damian Tillman; Back row: Eric Carter, Chris Yawn, Mathew Powell, Justin Wright, Stacey Adams, and Shawn Dove

Altamaha Technical College-Hazlehurst Campus and MetroPower, Inc. joined forces to offer a Co-operative Training Program in the area of Commercial/Industrial Electricity and Construction this past fall.  The first class (pictured above) is now finishing up their initial quarter in the program, and they will spend their next quarter working with MetroPower as a full-time employee.  “This program consists of a true co-operative experience, where the chosen participants will alternate between a paid work experience and technical training at ATC on three month intervals until program completion,” explains Hank Hobbs, Associate Vice-President with ATC.  
   

MetroPower is a leading electrical service and construction company, serving customers throughout the southeast with offices in Georgia (Albany, Atlanta, Columbus, Hazlehurst, Macon, and Warner Robins) and South Carolina (Greenville). The Cooperative People Development (CPD) Program will offer qualified candidates an opportunity to learn the electrical, mechanical, construction, maintenance, and service industry through a unique combination of academic and on-the-job training, as well as a career opportunity for the proven performers.

Hobbs says he is excited about the opportunities the partnership will bring to the people in the surrounding communities, as well as, the opportunity to partner with MetroPower. According to Hobbs, "Our job is quite simple.  We train individuals to go to work. We do our research and work with companies in an effort to provide our students opportunities in careers that will sustain into the future.” 

The program is certified through the U.S. Bureau of Apprenticeship Training and upon completion the student will not only receive a technical college diploma but will gain national recognition as they work towards obtaining their Certified Master Electrician credential.

When asked why he joined the program, Chris Yawn stated, “Working with MetroPower is a great career opportunity, and I knew that I would gain the experience I needed to be good at my job.”  When asked what advice he has for other people interested in this area of work, another student in the program, Jake White said, “Go for it.  This program is an excellent choice for people who prefer hands-on learning, and there is plenty of money to be made is this field.”

ATC and Metro Power still have a few openings for the next class slated to begin in January 2007. If an opportunity to get a top-notch education, participate in a nationally recognized apprenticeship program, and start a career with a progressive company sounds good to you, give ATC or Metro Power a call today. For more information, contact the ATC representative, Dana Sears, at 912-379-0041 or MetroPower representative, Clay Fitzgerald, at 229-432-7345.