Albany Technical College has recently been approved as a provider for the Department of Defense SkillBridge program. The DOD SkillBridge program is an opportunity for service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the last 180 days of service. Albany Technical College’s programs fall into the Skillbridge category of Employment Skills Training Program. Albany Tech has been approved to offer Firefighter 1 and Commercial Truck Driving through Skillbridge.  

The DOD Skillbridge agreement is a partnership between the Department of Defense and other organizations aimed at connecting service members and veterans with employment opportunities. Skillbridge enables military personnel to gain valuable work experience during their service or after they transition to civilian life, helping them to make a smooth transition to the private sector. The DOD works with colleges and universities, state workforce agencies, and private sector companies to provide training, education, and employment opportunities to service members. The program is designed to help reduce the skills gap in the U.S. workforce while at the same time providing service members with valuable training and experience. 

Albany Tech has initially received approval for Firefighter 1 and Commercial Truck Driving programs, with intentions to broaden its Skillbridge offerings with more short-term certificates pending approval. 

Firefighter 1 is a 15-week program offered normally in the Fall Semester. It is offered in cooperation with the Georgia Fire Academy and Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training to ensure graduates have the skills, knowledge and credentials to serve as firefighters in paid and volunteer fire departments. Graduates are tested and certified at the state level. Graduates of the Firefighter 1 program earn a Technical Certificate of Credit from Albany Tech. 

Commercial Truck Driving is an 8-week program that provides basic training in the principles and skills of commercial truck operations. At the completion of the program, the student is administered the Georgia CDL Skills Exam and receives a Technical Certificate of Credit. 

To be eligible for Skillbridge participation, a service member must have approval from their unit commander, have 180 days of service or fewer remaining prior to their date of discharge and at least 180 continuous days of active service. Interested service members can get more information by contacting their installation SkillBridge point of contact; the SkillBridge POC may be in the transition assistance office, education office, or other installation support office.