The Georgia Work Ready Initiative

The Governor, in partnership with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, has implemented the Georgia Work Ready initiative. This is a two-fold effort that includes a Georgia Work Ready Certificate whose outcomes are aligned with current and future jobs in Georgia and the Certified Work Ready Communities that is a framework for counties to validate their existing workforce. The Certified Work Ready Communities is the essence of the E3 concept – education, economic development and employment. It will require communities to validate their existing and available workforce and show a commitment to improving their high school graduation rates. Success will take a team approach that includes the leadership of county and municipal government, technical colleges, local WIA areas, regional representatives from DCA and DEcD, and the local school boards coming together.

Work Ready Connect 

Work Ready Connect, the state’s new online employment site brings together Work Ready Certified people and employers to place the right person with the right job.  Work Ready Connect is free to individuals holding Work Ready Certificates and companies that either prefer or require certificates as part of their hiring process.

Job seekers can build a personalized employment profile, see recommended job opportunities, search for open positions and communicate with Georgia employers actively seeking candidates.

Employers can create company profiles, post open jobs and invite qualified, Work Ready Certificate candidates to interview. More than 150,000 Georgians have earned Work Ready Certificates and more than 540 companies are listed on the Georgia Work Ready website as preferring or requiring the certificate as part of their hiring process.

The Innovation Crescent

The Innovation Crescent is internationally recognized as a unique hub of life science talent and is a regional coalition dedicated to supporting the future growth of Georgia’s life sciences. The I.C. is comprised of 13 economic development entities and Chambers of Commerce with goals to expand existing life science industries, align education and workforce development resources to support the life science industry cluster and grow high-wage jobs. More information can be found in the Innovation Crescent brochure or at the Georgia BioScience Technology Institute. Read more about the Innovation Crescent.

GEM

The Georgia Entertainment Media (GEM) (PDF) Work Ready Region initiative will focus on careers in radio, television, film, digital gaming and music.  The goal is to align education, workforce development and training with the needs of business.  It will be done by working closely with industry leaders, job profiling and providing in-house training for existing employees based on the needs for continued growth. More about GEM.