The Puckett Center’s DoW-approved SkillBridge programs provide transitioning Servicemembers in their final 180 days of active duty with accelerated, employer-aligned training that leads directly to high-demand civilian careers. Built in partnership with regional employers and aligned to Georgia’s workforce priorities, each pathway combines hands-on instruction, industry-recognized credentials, and structured on-the-job learning to ensure participants graduate job-ready on day one. Servicemembers incur no direct program costs, and training is delivered in accordance with Department of War SkillBridge guidelines and standards .
At the Puckett Center, SkillBridge follows a “train with the job already in sight” model; employers engage early, help shape the training experience, and commit to interviews at cohort completion. Whether pursuing careers in logistics, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, or the skilled trades, participants gain portable credentials, real-world experience, and a direct connection to employment opportunities in Columbus and across the Chattahoochee Valley.
Prepares students for careers in commercial transportation by providing foundational training in commercial vehicle operations, safety regulations, trip planning, and defensive driving. Graduates are prepared to test for the Georgia Class A Commercial Driver’s License and enter the transportation workforce.
- Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 – 4:00
- Location: The Puckett Center – CDL Training Site
- Length: 8 weeks
- Credential: Commercial Truck Driving TCC
Prepares students for entry-level welding roles by introducing welding safety, equipment setup, blueprint reading, and shielded metal arc welding techniques. Emphasis is placed on hands-on skill development aligned with industry expectations.
- Daily Schedule: 0730 – 1130 (Morning instructional block) / 1230 – 1630 (Afternoon instructional block) Students rotate through instructional and lab periods within these windows depending on course sequencing and lab availability.
- Location: Welding Lab / The Puckett Center
- Length: 10 weeks
- Credential: Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welder TCC
Prepares students for advanced welding roles by building proficiency in gas metal arc and gas tungsten arc welding processes. Instruction reinforces welding theory, quality control, and preparation for industry qualification testing.
- Daily Schedule: 0730 – 1130 (Instructional/Lab Block) /1230 – 1630 (Instructional/Lab Block) / 1700 – 2000 (Advanced lab blocks on select days) Evening lab periods are used for advanced processes (GMAW/GTAW), cutting technologies, and extended hands-on practice.
- Location: Welding Lab / The Puckett Center
- Length: 15 weeks
- Credential: Gas Metal Arc Welder TCC | Gas Tungsten Arc Welder TCC
Prepares students for industrial electrical maintenance and installation roles by covering electrical safety, AC/DC theory, motor controls, industrial wiring, and troubleshooting. This program functions as a pre-apprenticeship pathway toward journeyman-level employment.
- Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday 9:00 – 5:00
- Location: CTC Campus
- Length: 15 weeks
- Credential: Industrial Electrician TCC
Prepares students for foundational electrical roles by developing skills in electrical theory, residential and light industrial wiring, blueprint interpretation, and basic troubleshooting.
- Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00–5:00
- Location: CTC Campus
- Length: 15 weeks
- Credential: Basic Electrical Technician TCC
Prepares students for entry-level medical coding roles by developing knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, healthcare documentation, and coding systems used to support billing and revenue cycle operations. Instruction is delivered in an online format to support flexible participation.
- Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30–3:30
- Location: Online / Job Shadowing Site
- Length: 15 weeks
- Credential: Medical Coding TCC
Prepares students for entry-level emergency medical services roles through instruction in patient assessment, emergency care, clinical skills, and operational readiness. Program includes classroom instruction and applied clinical components.
- Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30–3:30 (excludes clinical hours)
- Location: CTC Campus
- Length: 15 weeks
- Credential: EMS Technician TCC
Prepares students for entry-level paralegal roles by developing skills in legal research, document preparation, case management, and professional communication to support attorneys and legal teams.
- Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00–5:00
- Location: CTC Campus
- Length: 15 weeks
- Credential: Paralegal Studies TCC
Prepares students for emerging technology-enabled roles by introducing applied generative AI concepts, tools, and workflows used to support business operations, data analysis, and technology teams.
- Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00–5:00
- Location: CTC Campus
- Length: 15 weeks
- Credential: Generative AI Technician TCC
Prepares students for entry-level software development roles by developing foundational programming skills in Java, including application development, debugging, problem-solving, and collaborative development practices.
- Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00–5:00
- Location: CTC Campus
- Length: 15 weeks
- Credential: Java Programmer TCC
Prepares students for careers in logistics and supply chain operations by developing skills in inventory management, transportation, warehousing, process improvement, and business logistics fundamentals.
- Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00–5:00
- Location: CTC Campus
- Length: 15 weeks
- Credential: Logistics Management Specialist TCC
Prepares students for entry-level IT networking roles by developing skills in network installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting using industry-standard tools and platforms.
- Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00–5:00
- Location: IT Lab / CTC Campus
- Length: 25 weeks
- Credential: Network Technician TCC
Prepares students for foundational cybersecurity roles by developing knowledge of information security principles, risk identification, system protection, and security policy implementation.
- Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00–5:00
- Location: IT Lab / CTC Campus
- Length: 25 weeks
- Credential: Cybersecurity Technician TCC
Prepares students for entry-level cloud computing roles by developing skills in cloud architecture, deployment, migration, and operational management using industry-standard cloud platforms.
- Daily Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00–5:00
- Location: IT Lab / CTC Campus
- Length: 25 weeks
- Credential: AWS Cloud Solutions Specialist TCC