The program offers specialized instruction across six healthcare certification tracks: Nurse Aide Fast Track, Fundamentals of Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy Technician Fast Track, Patient Care Technician or Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, and Patient Account Specialist. Training is aligned directly with employer demand and living-wage career pathways, according to program organizers.

To help participants complete their studies and certification requirements, the pilot combines technical instruction with academic success coaching and workplace readiness training. Students also receive wraparound support services aimed at reducing barriers to completion, including child care assistance, transportation aid, tuition support, and financial aid consultations.

Victoria Seals, president of Atlanta Technical College, said the partnership strengthens pathways to economic opportunity and workforce training throughout the city.

"Atlanta Technical College is proud to partner with the Atlanta Beltline to expand pathways to education, workforce development and economic mobility," Seals said. "As our city continues to grow, we are committed to ensuring residents have access to the skills and training that help them build lasting careers, thrive in their communities and share in Atlanta's continued success."

Seals also emphasized the college's role in supporting technical education across the broader region, saying ATC's presence is helping to "transform lives" through education. "We are honored to welcome the Atlanta Beltline as a valued partner in that mission," she said.

Atlanta Technical College focuses on hands-on training and industry partnerships, providing practical instruction to equip students with skills needed in competitive regional job markets. The Atlanta Beltline is a 22-mile rail-to-trail redevelopment project transforming neighborhoods across the city, accompanied by 11 miles of connector trails, and is one of the largest urban redevelopment programs in the United States.

Enrollment for the first training cohorts is currently open, with training provided at no cost to eligible residents in Southwest and Westside Beltline neighborhoods. Residents interested in starting a healthcare career can obtain more information by attending an Atlanta Technical College information session or completing an online program interest form.

The program's launch comes as healthcare employers continue to face workforce shortages, and as the Beltline seeks to ensure that residents of surrounding communities benefit from the economic growth the redevelopment project is spurring. By offering free training and support services, the partnership aims to remove financial barriers that might otherwise keep local workers from pursuing certification in high-demand fields.