Governor Brian Kemp and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) today announced the winners of the 2025 Governor’s Workforce Summit Awards during a special ceremony at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The awards celebrate exceptional accomplishments in workforce development, strategic partnerships, and student success across the state.

Presented as part of the Governor’s Workforce Summit—an annual two-day event that draws more than 1,000 educators, business and industry leaders, government officials, and community partners—the awards highlight the individuals and organizations driving Georgia’s workforce forward and advancing Governor Kemp’s Top State for Talent initiative.

The 2025 Governor’s Workforce Summit Award winners are:

• College and Career Academy of the Year - Greene College & Career Academy

• Business Partner of the Year - Ashburn-Turner County Chamber of Commerce

• Work-Based Learning Student of the Year - Addison Hilsman, Morgan County High School: A Georgia College and Career Academy

• Youth Apprenticeship Completer of the Year - Sebastian Velasquez Villar, Evans High School

• Dual Achievement Program Student of the Year - William Vinson, Central Georgia Technical College

• Dual Enrollment Student of the Year - Caden Graves, Floyd County College and Career Academy and Georgia Northwestern Technical College

• Georgia College and Career Academy Student of the Year - Faith Ryan, Liberty College and Career Academy

"Georgia has been ranked the No. 1 State for Business for the last 12 years thanks to the work of our dedicated educators, workforce partners, and students who are stepping up to prepare for high-demand careers," said Governor Brian Kemp. "The winners recognized today are helping to drive this state's economic success by ensuring businesses have the workforce they need to excel and hardworking Georgians have opportunities to prosper. I am proud to congratulate them on this achievement and grateful for their work to keep Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family."

The Governor’s Workforce Summit serves as a statewide platform to share best practices, promote innovative workforce strategies, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration among Georgia’s education, industry, and government partners. Through aligned initiatives such as dual enrollment, apprenticeships, work-based learning, and career academies, Georgia continues to prepare students and workers for high-demand careers in a rapidly growing economy.

“Every one of these honorees is helping fuel Governor Kemp’s vision for Georgia to be the Top State for Talent,” said TCSG Commissioner, Greg Dozier. “By connecting students to meaningful career pathways and strengthening partnerships between education and industry, they are building the workforce that keeps Georgia’s economy growing. We are proud to celebrate their leadership, innovation, and dedication to student success.”