Recovery

For Georgians

Be Work Ready

• Be Work Ready is designed to help unemployed Georgians jump start their job search, gain confidence and a competitive advantage in the marketplace
• Be Work Ready provides funds to assist with job search expenses for unemployed Georgians who earn a Work Ready Certificate and/or improve their skill level through free, online training
• Work Ready skills gap training programs can be accessed online from any Internet-connected computer, including those at Georgia technical colleges and public libraries
• To access skills gap training, Georgians may receive an access code from their local technical college or at a participating public library

• Click here to learn more

Work Ready and Youth

• GOWD is working with participating local workforce investment agencies (WIA) to prepare students for the high school graduation test and Work Ready assessments during summer training programs built on Work Ready skills gap training
• GOWD is assisting local WIA with summer internships at state agencies for qualified youth

• Contact your local WIA for more information 

Work Ready and basic computer classes

• GOWD is offering up to 1,000 vouchers (value up to $60) for basic computer training for the unemployed at participating college and technical college continuing education programs and/or private training providers on Georgia's eligible service provider list.
• Microsoft Elevate America is providing free computer skills training to all Georgians. Click here to learn more.
• The Georgia Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP) is offering 500 basic computer training classes at participating regional state college and university campuses offices located on state college and university campuses

• Contact your local WIA for more information

Work Ready and stimulus expenditure

• Georgia is encouraging federal and state contractors to recognize and use Work Ready Certificates in hiring decisions for employment associated with Recovery funds
• The state is currently working with the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia (CEFGA) to share information with contractors on how Georgia Work Ready can be used to transition unemployed workers from declining jobs to construction careers
• For more workforce information on occupations easily transitioned to construction jobs, click here

Work Ready and the staffing agencies

• Human resource offices and staffing agencies work closely with Georgia Department of Labor Career Centers in helping Georgians find employment
• GOWD is working with staffing agencies and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) to develop Work Ready tool kits for participating human resources offices and staffing agencies to facilitate transitioning workers to growth industries
• Manpower staffing agency and Georgia SHRM are assisting GOWD in planning a statewide meeting with key leaders from staffing agencies this summer to develop these tools
• If you are a human resource officer interested in more information or a staffing agency and would like to participate in the statewide meeting, please e-mail Chris Baucom at cbaucom@gov.state.ga.us

Check back often for more Georgia Work Ready Recovery resources available to Georgians.

For Georgia communities

Work Ready Communities

• To support existing industry and attract new ones, our emerging workforce must possess both strong work readiness skills and work habits
• A gold-level Work Ready Certificate - powered by the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate - indicates an individual's ability to be trained to fill 90 percent of jobs in the county
• Georgia seeks to increase the number of high school students with gold-level certificates. This community inititiative seeks to provide high schools with tools to help prepare students for more knowledge-based careers and to ensure all graduates are both college and work ready
• Georgia also seeks to assist communities seeking Certified Work Ready Community status achieve their goals
• Work Ready skills gap training software will be made available to high schools in participating Certified Work Ready Community counties to help high school students prepare for Work Ready assessments, improve performance on the graduation tests, assist in improving graduation rates and give students a better understanding of the skills employers look for in a successful employee
• If you are a high school administrator or graduation coach and would like to be considered for Work Ready skills gap tools for your school, please complete the form located here and e-mail to Fred McConnel at fmcconnel@gov.state.ga.us or fax to his attention at 404-463-5043

Work Ready and the energy industry

• GOWD, in partnership with the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA), has developed an overall state strategy to assist in developing and transitioning the available workforce for "green" energy- and conservation-related jobs
• The plan includes development of the workforce to support the weatherization activities associated with the federal Recovery plan

• Click here for a copy of Georgia's Energy Workforce Development plan

A Golden Opportunity

• Georgia is using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to increase the foundation work readiness levels of its transitioning workforce
• Organizations that wish to assist in increasing the work readiness foundation skill level of dislocated workers in their communities may apply for Golden Opportunity Grants
• Click here to download information on the applications process and here for an additional tracking document; both documents are necessary to apply
• Applications are due by August 7, 2009 by 5:00 PM.
• For more information, please contact Andrew Laarhoven at 404-463-8514 or alaarhoven@gov.state.ga.us

Continue to Georgia Work Ready Recovery Data