Georgia QuickStart, in conjunction with Augusta-based McKnight Construction, hosted a “topping off” ceremony on Tuesday to commemorate a turning point in the establishment of QuickStart’s new building at its Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Pooler. 

The new building, adjacent to the existing Training Center, is set to accommodate QuickStart-related training for incoming employees of supplier companies supporting Hyundai’s upcoming Metaplant in Ellabell. (HMGMA). 

“This building will be in a lot of ways similar to our current advanced manufacturing training center in that we will have classrooms, lab space, for doing hands-on training,” said Scott McMurray, the Deputy Commissioner for Georgia QuickStart.

Established in 1967, Georgia QuickStart is a division of the Technical System of Georgia, and is currently operating in four colleges in the region: Ogeechee Tech, Savannah Tech, Southeastern Tech, and Coastal Pines.

The construction of a second QuickStart training facility in Pooler is evidence of QuickStart’s strong commitment to training future supplier employees for manufacturing readiness, said McMurray.

“The jobs in this region are growing and so we need to grow alongside these companies,” McMurray added.

QuickStart employees, state government officials, and technical college representatives were on hand to witness the “topping off”–or the marking of the last steel beam at the highest point of the future QuickStart building, to pay homage to the construction workers who are currently finishing the new training center. 

“We’re going to reap the benefits of the building once it's done, but this is the milestone for the folks who are putting this steel together and finishing out this training center,” McMurray said. 

And to add a special touch to the proceedings, those in attendance at the Pooler ceremony were able to sign the beam with permanent marker before it was hoisted in place.  

The new QuickStart building is slated for completion in March 2025.