Governor Announces Grants for Spouses of Fort Benning Soldiers

Career Advancement Accounts allows spouses to attend community, technical college

ATLANTA — Today Governor Perdue announced Georgia has received $2,296,638 in the Heroes at Home DOL/DOD Military Spouse initiative to make Career Advancement Accounts (CAA) available to spouses of active duty military personnel at Fort Benning.

“I applaud the strength shown by military spouses in times of war and peace,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “It is my hope that we are able to show our true appreciation for these heroes at home by aiding them in the advancement of their education and their careers.”

The Career Advancement Accounts are grants made to spouses of active duty military personnel to further complete short term education and training.  Grant recipients will be able to access up to $6,000 over a two year period in funds to complete post-secondary education at any of Georgia’s two year community and technical colleges.  These individual grants may also be used for training that will lead to a state-approved credential, such as an approved certificate from a continuing education program or approved private service provider. 

“Due to the high potential for reassignment of military personnel, their spouses face a unique set of challenges in the workplace,” said state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.  “This innovative initiative is designed to help them meet those challenges through additional education and specialized training. The Georgia Department of Labor is proud to be a part of this important effort to strengthen the economic stability of our military families.”

In addition to earning the college or training credential, all recipients of the Heroes at Home Career Advancement Accounts will be encouraged to earn a Georgia Work Ready Certificate available to all Georgians at no cost.  The assessment level outcomes of the Work Ready Certificate are aligned with skill levels needed to be successful in a specific job or occupation.  The Work Ready credential is another tool available to help active duty military spouses successfully advance their careers.

This grant is the result of a collaborative effort between the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor to help provide education and training opportunities to military families.   Spouses will be encouraged to complete their education and training in areas identified by the state as high growth, high demand. 

For an active duty military spouse to be eligible he or she must be a high school graduate or hold a GED.  They may have some college credit but may not currently have an associates, bachelors or advanced degree.  Accounts may be used for post-secondary tuition and training to directly fund tuition, fees and textbooks.  Only spouses of E1 (Enlisted) through E5 and O1 (Officer) through O3 levels are eligible for the program.

The Governor’s Office of Workforce Development (GOWFD) is responsible for administering the grant.  The Military Affairs Coordinating Committee, Fort Benning, the Georgia Department of Labor, the Lower Chattahoochee local workforce investment board and Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce have worked with the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development to assist in the development and implementation of the plan to grant military spouses easy access to these accounts.  2,411 spouses at Fort Benning are projected to be eligible for these grants.

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