Expanding workforce pathways through Microsoft Datacenter Academy in Georgia

Georgia is growing into a hub for cloud computing, AI, and digital infrastructure. Across the state, educators and industry leaders are working together to help more people take part in that future.

On May 20, 2026, that effort took a meaningful step forward with the simultaneous opening of two Microsoft Datacenter Academy training facilities at Atlanta Technical College and West Georgia Technical College. Together, these academies represent some of Georgia’s first dedicated datacenter technical training facilities and reflect a collaborative investment in workforce readiness, technical education, and expanded access to high-demand careers across metro Atlanta and West Georgia.

Preparing students for high-demand technology careers

Datacenters support the services people rely on every day, including healthcare, banking, logistics, and streaming. As demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow, so does the need for skilled professionals capable of supporting and maintaining these complex environments.

The Datacenter Academy programs at Atlanta Technical College and West Georgia Technical College are designed to help meet that growing workforce demand through immersive technical education, simulation-based learning environments, and industry-aligned curriculum. Students participating in the academy at both facilities will have opportunities to gain hands-on experience in areas including:

• Datacenter operations
• Networking
• Cybersecurity
• IT infrastructure
• Cloud technologies
• Energy and systems management

The programs are designed to help students build technical competencies while creating direct pathways into certifications, internships, and future careers tied to Georgia’s expanding technology sector.

Creating real pathways into the technology economy

For students like Cody Jackson, the academy represents more than technical training—it represents opportunity.

Jackson, a student at Atlanta Technical College and a Datacenter Academy scholar, enrolled in the program to pursue a new career path. Previously working as a broker for a logistics company, he learned about the academy through a friend and saw it as a chance to transition into a growing field.

Through the Datacenter Academy scholarship program, Jackson’s tuition, books, and fees were covered, helping remove financial barriers to entering the technology field. He is expected to graduate this summer and has already received a job offer from Microsoft as a logistics technician.

Stories like Jackson’s reflect the broader goal of the academies: creating accessible pathways into high-demand careers while helping strengthen Georgia’s future workforce.

Investing in Georgia’s talent pipeline

At Atlanta Technical College, the Datacenter Academy facility is backed by more than $800,000 in funding through the Atlanta Technical College Foundation and supported by collaborators including Microsoft, TA Realty, and TA Digital Group.

“The future of digital infrastructure does not begin in a server room. It begins in a classroom,” said Dr. Victoria Seals, president of Atlanta Technical College. “Behind every advancement in AI is the power of H.I., human intelligence. We believe technology will drive the future, but it is important to prepare the people who shape it.”

The academy integrates cutting-edge curriculum, immersive simulation labs, mentorship opportunities, and scholarship support designed to help remove financial barriers while expanding access to technical education. Some students participating in the program have already begun engaging in hands-on learning experiences supported through the initiative.

Aligning education and industry

The simultaneous opening of the academies reflects a broader effort to align workforce development with the rapidly evolving needs of the technology and infrastructure sectors. At West Georgia Technical College, leaders emphasized the importance of preparing students for meaningful careers that also strengthen the region’s long-term economic competitiveness.

“West Georgia Technical College is focused on preparing students for meaningful, high-demand careers that drive both individual success and regional growth,” said Dr. Julie Post, president of the college. “The Microsoft Datacenter Academy reflects our commitment to innovation, hands-on learning, and ensuring that our graduates are ready to meet the needs of today’s workforce.”

The Microsoft Datacenter Academy network now includes more than 30 education partners worldwide, helping expand access to technical training and strengthen workforce pipelines in communities connected to digital infrastructure growth.

Building the workforce behind the digital economy

Georgia’s continued growth as a technology and infrastructure hub presents significant opportunities for workforce development and economic mobility. Programs like the Microsoft Datacenter Academy are helping ensure students and local communities are equipped with the skills needed to participate in that future.

By combining technical education, hands-on learning, mentorship, and industry collaboration, the academies at Atlanta Technical College and West Georgia Technical College represent an important investment in the next generation of technology talent across Georgia.