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Atlanta, GA — Atlanta Technical College (ATC) celebrated a significant milestone on May 20 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new simulation lab, which will house one of Georgia’s first dedicated datacenter technical training academies.
The event brought together education leaders, industry partners, and community stakeholders to mark the launch of a collaborative initiative designed to bridge the growing skills gap in digital infrastructure. Key partners include Microsoft, TA Realty, and its datacenter development arm, TA Digital Group (TADG).
Atlanta Technical College Launches Microsoft Datacenter Academy to Train Next Generation of Tech Talent
“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 A.I. is the power of H.I., human intelligence. This academy represents our commitment to ensuring students gain the skills, access, and opportunities needed to lead in one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.”
A Global Program with Local Impact
The Microsoft Datacenter Academy at Atlanta Technical College joins a worldwide network of more than 30 Microsoft Datacenter Academy partners. The program works with local institutions to expand access to technical education and create direct career pathways into the datacenter industry in communities where these facilities operate.
Microsoft supports partner institutions through five core pillars: curriculum alignment, scholarships and financial aid, mentorship, simulation labs, and work experience.The new facility at ATC is backed by more than $800,000 in funding through the Atlanta Technical College Foundation and industry partners.
Construction is expected to be completed in early 2026, with the first cohort of students scheduled to begin in fall 2026.
The academy will offer cutting-edge curriculum, immersive simulation labs, and industry mentorship focused on high-demand areas including datacenter operations, networking, cybersecurity, and energy management.
These fields saw U.S. employment grow by more than 60% between 2016 and 2023, with projections calling for 20% to 25% annual growth through 2030.Microsoft is also providing scholarships that cover tuition, books, fees, and certification testing costs, removing financial barriers for students.
Early participants have already begun hands-on learning experiences with Microsoft support.
“Microsoft is proud to support the Microsoft Datacenter Academy at Atlanta Technical College and invest in students pursuing careers in the datacenter and IT industry,” said Bowen Wallace, corporate vice president, Americas, Microsoft. “This new simulation lab gives students hands-on access to equipment and servers, reflecting our shared commitment to strengthening the local talent pipeline and preparing learners for high-demand careers in cloud infrastructure.
”Aligning Education with Industry NeedsGeorgia has rapidly become a national and global hub for digital infrastructure. The new academy reflects a deliberate effort to ensure local residents benefit from this economic growth.“
What we celebrate here is the result of alignment — alignment between education and industry, between vision and execution, between opportunity and access,” said Tim Shaheen, partner at TA Realty and chief development officer for TA Digital Group. “At TA Realty and TA Digital Group, we believe workforce development must be intentional, practical, and aligned with where the world is today and where it is going tomorrow.”
The Microsoft Datacenter Academy forms part of ATC’s broader mission to align technical education with high-demand, high-wage careers, helping position Georgia’s workforce and economy for long-term competitiveness in the digital age.
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