CLARKSTON, GA — A $100,000 donation from Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) will put Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s (GPTC) students and programs on the road in a retrofitted trailer aimed at highlighting in-demand and highly-skilled careers in the process.
AGL’s gift will fund a student-led project designed to convert a college-owned trailer into a traveling roadshow of sorts. Students from various programs, including natural gas technician, construction, plumbing, building automation systems, and HVAC, will build out the interior of the trailer. Once complete, the trailer will be transported by GPTC’s commercial truck driving program students to showcase events throughout DeKalb, Newton and Rockdale counties.
“By retrofitting a trailer into a 3D-modeled ‘escape the room’ experience, we’re creating an immersive way to introduce prospective students to dynamic trades like HVAC, electrical, welding, and more —proving that hands-on learning can be just as exciting as it is educational,” said Justin Haynes, GPTC’s building automation systems program director. “I’m honored to lead the development of this transformative project at GPTC.”
AGL owns, operates and maintains the natural gas infrastructure, including pipelines and meters, delivering natural gas to more than 1.6 million homes, commercial properties and industries in the state of Georgia.
“GPTC has been a longstanding and proud partner of Atlanta Gas Light. Together, we give people access to amazing careers that provide economic mobility,” said Dr. Tavarez Holston, president of GPTC. “AGL’s generous gift demonstrates their commitment to training their future and current workforce in a tangible way.”
Georgia Piedmont Tech’s students will begin designing and building the mobile experience when Fall semester classes begin Aug. 18. For more information on admissions and academic programs, visit www.gptc.edu.