Two Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) students have received the spring 2024 Rome Home Builders Association (RHBA) Scholarship.
Franklin Ramirez and Connor Rowell received the scholarship, which rewards academic excellence and provides financial support for students working toward a degree, diploma or certificate in residential construction-related programs, including Air Conditioning Technology, Construction Management, Electrical Systems Technology, Horticulture and Lawn Maintenance on the Floyd, Gordon and Polk County Campuses.
Ramirez and Rowell study Electrical Systems Technology at GNTC’s Gordon County Campus in Calhoun.
“This is the sixth year of our partnership with the Rome Home Builders Association,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president. “Their support and investment have enabled many students to complete their education and start great careers. We are grateful for their belief in our students.”
“There is a very high demand for skilled workers, not just in our community but also in our surrounding area,” said RHBA president Will Mathis of Mathis Builders Hardware & Supply Co. Inc. “We are happy to support students in our community who are willing to sacrifice their time and hard work to learn the necessary skills to continue to grow the residential housing industry in our community.”
Phil Burkhalter of Phillip Burkhalter Builders LLC represents Floyd County on GNTC’s Board of Trustees. He said he has been a member of RHBA for 35 years.
“Qualified electricians are in constant demand for all types of construction from a small remodel, construction of a new home or a commercial build,” Burkhalter said, adding there is also a demand for horticulturists. “It is important to have educated horticulturists to know what types of landscaping will work with your project.”
Burkhalter said, “We are so fortunate to have GNTC in our community to help qualified students.”
The Rome Home Builders Association is a trade organization dedicated to creating, promoting and protecting an ongoing successful environment for affordable housing in order to benefit its members and the citizens of Georgia, according to its website.
The association is committed to offering opportunities for members to improve their abilities to conduct business with integrity and encourages member involvement in assisting communities to meet the need for affordable, quality housing.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths.
This past year, 11,601 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,071 students and an additional enrollment of 3,530 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start. For more information about GNTC, visit us at www.GNTC.edu. GNTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and an Equal Opportunity Institution.
