TL;DR
- Atlanta Technical College officially opened one of Georgia’s first datacenter technical training academies through Microsoft’s Datacenter Academy program.
- The facility features a hands-on simulation lab designed to prepare students for careers in datacenter operations, cybersecurity, networking and energy management.
- Backed by more than $800,000 in funding and support from Microsoft, TA Realty and TA Digital Group, the academy creates direct pathways into Georgia’s rapidly expanding digital infrastructure sector.
- The launch reflects growing efforts to align workforce development with Georgia’s emergence as a major data center hub.
As Georgia continues to attract significant digital infrastructure investment, the need for a skilled workforce to support that growth is becoming increasingly urgent.
Atlanta Technical College is addressing that demand with the official opening of its new Microsoft Datacenter Academy lab facility, one of Georgia’s first dedicated datacenter technical training academies.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held May 20 on Atlanta Technical College’s campus, brought together leaders from Microsoft, TA Realty, TA Digital Group and regional stakeholders to celebrate a milestone that connects education directly to Georgia’s growing digital economy.
Part of Microsoft’s global Datacenter Academy network, the new facility is designed to create pathways into technical careers through curriculum alignment, scholarships, mentorship, simulation labs and hands-on learning opportunities. Students will gain practical experience in datacenter operations, networking, cybersecurity and energy management, all skill sets with a growing demand as hyperscale and cloud infrastructure continue expanding nationwide.
For Atlanta Technical College President Dr. Victoria Seals, the academy represents a major investment in both students and Georgia’s technology future.
“The future of digital infrastructure does not begin in a server room. It begins in a classroom,” said Dr. Seals. “Behind every advancement in A.I. is the power of H.I., human intelligence. I believe this transformational moment will be shaped by the people who are trained, skilled, and wise enough to guide this innovation. We believe technology will drive the future, but it is important to prepare the people who shape it. 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.”
The initiative is backed by more than $800,000 in funding through the Atlanta Technical College Foundation, with support from Microsoft and industry collaborators including TA Realty and TA Digital Group.
Microsoft says the academy reflects its broader commitment to building local technical talent pipelines in communities where digital infrastructure investment is accelerating.
“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.”
For TA Realty and TA Digital Group, the academy represents a critical link between infrastructure development and long-term workforce readiness.
“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. That means creating environments where students are not simply talking about the future but actively building it together.”
As Georgia continues to emerge as a major data center market, initiatives like this reflect a broader industry shift: workforce development is becoming a foundational component of digital infrastructure growth.
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