Georgia Foundation for Public Education and Georgia Power Foundation invest in skilled trades education for Dalton students.

DALTON, Ga. — Dalton Public Schools  has been awarded a $49,740.51 grant from the Georgia Foundation for Public Education (GFPE) and the Georgia Power Foundation to support the implementation of its Welding Pathway. The grant was awarded June 8, 2026, as part of the Workforce for Georgia initiative.

The funding will help DPS strengthen career-focused learning opportunities that prepare students for in-demand skilled trades careers. Specifically, the grant will fund MIG/TIG combination welders and a band saw for the program, giving students hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment.

Welding classes will begin this spring at The Dalton Academy. Students will have the option of dual enrollment courses through Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) as well as high school pathway classes, all held on The Dalton Academy campus.

“Skilled trades like welding offer our students a direct path to rewarding, well-paying careers right here in our community," said Superintendent Dr. Steven Craft. "We are grateful to the Georgia Foundation for Public Education and the Georgia Power Foundation for investing in our students and helping us build a pathway that connects classroom learning to real-world opportunity.”

The grant sets two goals for the program. First, DPS aims to grow student enrollment in the Welding Pathway by at least 10 percent from the first to the second year of implementation, reflecting sustained student interest in skilled trades education. Second, DPS aims to have at least 75 percent of enrolled students on track to complete the pathway by the end of the grant period.

“We are thrilled to work with the Georgia Power Foundation’s Department of Corporate Responsibility to support this project,” said Jaclyn Colona, Director of Grant Strategies at GFPE. GFPE and the Georgia Power Foundation plan to visit Dalton in spring 2027 to see the program in action.

DPS will track program outcomes and submit evaluations to GFPE throughout the grant period. Students and faculty participating in the program will also take part in a retrospective survey at its conclusion.

Through this partnership, Dalton Public Schools will continue preparing students for successful futures in skilled trades careers.