The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s Overwatch Fund announced a $100,000 grant to the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center to create veteran employment opportunities through the establishment of the VECTR Center’s Electrical Construction Lab (ECL).

With the award, the VECTR Center will be able to offer an electrical technician accelerated training program at the Center, where construction is ongoing for an additional 11,000sq. ft. in Phase 2 expansion on the property set to open in January 2020.

Once operational, an additional 30 students will be trained annually through the accredited program.

“We are so excited to receive this grant from the Blank Foundation as it will equip our electrical construction program and impact transitioning military and veterans from around the Georgia,” said Ret. Col. Patricia Ross, the chief executive officer of the VECTR Center. “The Foundation is committed to helping veterans and we’re extremely grateful they chose our program at VECTR to support.”  

As key impact areas for the grant, The Blank Foundation recognized both the need for creating certified electricians to meet growing demand in the field, and the high unemployment rates veterans experience because of transition to civilian life.

The Blank Foundation and the VECTR Center indicate a one-year timeline for the completion of grant-funded projects, and expect the initial cohort of students to begin January 2020.

The Overwatch Fund is a committee of veterans and associates across the Blank Family of Businesses who manage grantmaking on behalf of The Blank Foundation that improves outcomes for Veterans in Georgia.

The Georgia VECTR Center is an administrative unit of Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) with a statewide mission to offer educational services and training programs to aid in the transition from service member to civilian.

Established in 2016, The Georgia VECTR Center is a statewide service center offering Georgia families assistance with the transition from military to civilian life and offers assistance for those seeking education within the Technical College System and the University System of Georgia.

Along with support services, VECTR staff members also offer job search assistance and, if necessary, connects veterans with resources to assist with basic needs such as housing or financial assistance.

The Georgia VECTR Center has provided over 39,000 military and veteran-related services since they opened in 2016.