Date Posted: June 16, 2026
GRIFFIN, GA — Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC), in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), successfully hosted the Information Infrastructure Pre-Apprenticeship (I2PA) Culminating Reception on June 9, 2026, at the College’s Griffin Campus Event Center, celebrating the completion of a four-week workforce training program designed to prepare participants for high-demand careers in technology infrastructure.
The AWS I2PA program is part of a broader initiative to expand workforce capacity in the rapidly growing information infrastructure sector. Through strong collaboration between industry and education partners, Southern Crescent Technical College continues to provide innovative training programs that lead to sustainable, high-quality careers.
The event honored 22 adult learners who completed the intensive program, which ran from May 12 through June 9, 2026. The reception brought together students, college leadership, industry representatives, and regional employers to recognize student success and strengthen connections between graduates and career opportunities.
The program’s culminating event featured a graduation ceremony with remarks from SCTC President Dr. Irvin Clark, AWS leadership, and regional economic development partners, followed by a networking lunch and a career fair where graduates connected directly with prospective employers.
The AWS I2PA program provides hands-on training in critical areas such as safety, electrical systems, mechanical systems, fiber optics, and data center operations—skills essential to building and maintaining today’s digital infrastructure.
“This program demonstrates the power of collaboration between education and industry to create meaningful workforce opportunities,” said SCTC President, Dr. Irvin Clark. “We are proud of our graduates and excited to see them take the next step into rewarding, in-demand careers.”
The graduating cohort reflects both diversity and strong academic backgrounds:
- 22 total participants
- 77% male and 23% female
- 59% from Metro Atlanta (DeKalb, Fulton, and Cobb counties)
- 36% from counties south of Atlanta (Henry, Newton, Spalding, and Butts)
- More than half already hold postsecondary degrees, including associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees
- Two graduates are SCTC alumni in Cybersecurity (May 2026) and Programming (May 2020)
The program was led locally by Instructor Ted Thompson and Dean Eleen Herbert, whose leadership helped ensure students gained both technical expertise and real-world readiness.
During the ceremony, Dr. Quin Jernigan, Workforce Development Manager at AWS, highlighted the broader workforce and economic impact of the program:
“Data centers fuel demand across an entire supply chain of local electricians, construction crews, and technicians. The fiber, electrical, and mechanical skills students are gaining are what those trades need every day. Our role is to bring together industry experts and education partners, serving as a workforce engine to build capacity so graduates enter the job market ready to meet the demands of an evolving workforce.
The central focus of the reception was connecting graduates to employment pathways. The on-site career fair provided participants with the opportunity to engage directly with employers, reinforcing the program’s mission to transition learners into the workforce immediately following completion.
For more information about Southern Crescent Technical College, visit www.sctech.edu.
