WARNER ROBINS — State officials broke ground Tuesday on a $10-million center for military veterans transitioning to civilian careers.
“As these heroes enter our workforce after their military careers, it’s our duty to provide them with every opportunity for academic and professional success," Gov. Nathan Deal said. "This military academic training center will provide the type of education and assistance needed for veterans to complete their transition and get good jobs.”
The Georgia military academic training center is a partnership between the University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia. Once completed in 2016, the 32,000 square-foot facility will serve veterans as they re-enter Georgia's workforce and colleges and universities.
Both Central Georgia Technical College and Middle Georgia State College will work with veterans to ensure that armed forces training and experience is recognized as they pursue post-secondary credentials.
"The groundbreaking for Georgia’s new military academic training center is major step toward fulfilling our commitment to utilize the state’s higher education systems to help members of the armed forces, veterans and their families in their transition from military service to civilian careers," Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson said.
The center will support the governor’s Complete College Georgia Initiative, which has a goal of increasing the percentage of Georgians completing some level of college from 42 percent to 60 percent by 2020.
“As we seek to increase the numbers of Georgians completing college, we must ensure we have the programs and support for our military personnel,” University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby said.
The new facility will:
• Offer mission-related services to Robins Air Force Base and other military installations.
• Help veterans apply specific training, Defense Acquisition University courses and other service as credit toward a degree or certificate. The center will also serve active duty military and DoD employees.
• Expand DOD-related training and allow a marriage of the civilian and military education, especially in logistics.
• Create varied opportunities to help vets find employment.
• Unify educational and defense organizations to coordinate Georgia's effort to support America's defense community.
The Georgia MATC will be off Georgia Highway 247 near Robins Air Force Base.