For eleven straight years, Georgia has claimed the top spot as America’s best state for business.1 But that ranking isn’t just about tax incentives or airport access — it’s about people. And Georgia Power understands that better than most. The company is investing in what truly powers progress: a skilled workforce ready to shape Georgia’s future.
One example is Georgia Power’s partnership with Construction Ready, a nonprofit that has been preparing job seekers for careers in construction since 1993. The organization’s 20-day training program is designed to move participants quickly from the classroom to the jobsite, combining hands-on experience with career coaching and employer connections.
“For more than 25 years, Southern Company and Construction Ready have worked to introduce Georgians to careers in energy and industrial construction,” said Scott Shelar, President and CEO of Construction Ready. “Together, we’ve made a difference in the lives of countless people, connecting them to rewarding, life-changing careers.”
Recent investments from Georgia Power led to Construction Ready cohorts in Atlanta, Columbus, Savannah, and Newnan. The impact was immediate. Eighty-eight participants graduated, and 82 of them landed full-time jobs — a 93 percent placement rate. Collectively, the graduates earned 704 industry-recognized credentials, with starting wages averaging $16.86 an hour and strong potential for career advancement.2
One of those people is Johnny Barrientos, a Construction Ready graduate who is now an apprentice lineman at Georgia Power. “It’s the best job I’ve had, the best benefits, the best thing that’s happened to me,” he said.
What makes this partnership stand out is Georgia Power’s hands-on role. The company’s Workforce Development team helps identify candidates, connect them with employers, and provide the support that turns training into long-term careers. Some graduates go on to work directly at Georgia Power, while others take on important roles throughout Georgia’s growing construction sector.
The timing is critical. Georgia expects to add 3.1 million jobs by 2050, including nearly 24,000 in construction over the next decade.3 Without trained workers, those opportunities could go unfilled. Construction Ready is already helping bridge that gap, having placed more than 2,300 people in jobs in the past year through both its fast-track program and longer-term initiatives, including a 15-week advanced course and K-12 outreach that introduces students to the trades.
Smart investment in infrastructure means more than building substations or installing new technology. It also means making sure there are skilled people to do the work. By supporting programs like Construction Ready, Georgia Power is helping ensure that when opportunity comes, Georgians are ready to step forward.
Georgia Power’s partnership with Construction Ready is a powerful example of how investing in people strengthens the state’s future. By preparing workers for high-demand careers and helping them connect with real job opportunities, Georgia Power is doing more than powering homes and businesses — it’s helping power prosperity across Georgia.
- Gov. Kemp Celebrates Top State for Business Ranking at Workforce Summit (2024). ↩︎
- Report (2024). Construction Ready. ↩︎
- Chamber of Commerce (2025). Georgia Chamber of Commerce. ↩︎
