Council on Occupational Education Honored as One of Atlanta’s Best Place to Work 2025 !

The Council on Occupational Education (COE) has been recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the Best Places to Work for 2025. The honor was announced at a special award ceremony held Thursday evening, August 29, at the Signia by Hilton Atlanta Hotel.

The Best Places to Work award celebrates organizations that go above and beyond to engage, inspire, and support their teams. Honorees are selected based on comprehensive employee feedback, surveys, and evaluations of workplace programs, benefits, and culture. COE earned the #17 ranking out of the top 20 in the microbusiness category, a recognition that reflects the organization’s commitment to building a healthy, engaging culture.

“This award is more than a recognition, it’s a celebration of our team,” said Corri Bradley, HR/Accounting Project Manager. “Every day, our employees bring heart, creativity, and commitment to their work, and they are the true reason we’ve built such an inspiring culture. Being recognized as a Best Place to Work affirms that we are living our mission to ensure every team member feels valued, supported, and empowered to grow both personally and professionally. Together, COE has created more than just a workplace we have created a community where people don’t simply show up, they thrive, and where our collective success is fueled by care, respect, and collaboration.”

The commitment of COE’s employees highlights the organization’s larger vision, which Dr. Kirk A. Nooks, President and CEO of the Council, emphasizes as central to the mission. “We are proud to be acknowledged as one of Atlanta’s Best Places to Work,” said Dr. Kirk A.Nooks, President and CEO of the Council. “This recognition reflects the passion, collaboration, and commitment of our staff. While we are not a perfect workforce, our team consistently embraces growth over challenges, and that mindset enables us to transcend obstacles and better serve institutions nationwide.”

Dr. Gwen Sutton, Chair of the Council on Occupational Education and President of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Memphis, added, “As Chair of the Council on Occupational Education, I am proud of this recognition as one of Atlanta’s Best Places to Work,” It reflects the strength of our organization and the unwavering dedication of our staff. Their commitment to fostering a positive, collaborative workplace directly supports our mission to advance excellence in career and technical education across the nation.”

This recognition highlights COE’s commitment to fostering a thriving, supportive workplace where employees can grow, collaborate, and contribute to advancing excellence in career and technical education.