The Department of Agriculture and Augusta Technical College have announced a Rural Business Development Grant award totaling $16,945.00 that will assist with the purchase of simulator equipment for the Medical Assisting Program at the McDuffie and Burke County campuses.

Earlier this year, the College participated in a competitive grant process to secure the funding for equipment acquisition benefitting students located in the rural areas of the college’s 5 county service area. The grant announcement will allow the College to purchase various types of simulator equipment for training Medical Assisting students for the workforce.

“The acquisition of new equipment will provide opportunities for Augusta Technical College to deliver state-of-the-art-training so graduates are prepared to enter the workforce, as well as medical offices and hospitals to have qualified local candidates to hire,” said Karon Walton, Program Director for the Medical Assisting Program.

With the primary mission of workforce development, Augusta Technical College plans to graduate enough skilled Medical Assistants to fill the growing demand by hospitals and physicians’ offices in their 5 county service area.  Augusta Technical College is a state funded institution that operates within a specific budget; therefore, partnerships and grant opportunities are imperative for the growth and advancement of the institution.