Thirty-four counties in all were recently added to the program, including Habersham, Rabun and White.
"We're proud of our team effort and we're proud of the folks who have worked on this program," Habersham County Commission Chairman Jim Butterworth said.
In addition, Habersham and 19 others were awarded state grants after they agreed to complete the process in 18 months.
"In less than two years, Work Ready has helped transform our state and make our workforce our number one competitive advantage," Gov. Sonny Perdue said. "This initiative is creating new opportunities for Georgia workers and ensuring our state's employers have a stable, talented workforce to help them succeed."
The state's newest Certified Work Ready Communities in-progress include: Berrien, Bleckley, Bryan, Camden, Candler, Cherokee, Colquitt, Crawford, DeKalb, Dodge, Early, Effingham, Emanuel, Habersham, Henry, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Liberty, Lincoln, McDuffie, Morgan, Pulaski, Rabun, Randolph, Screven, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Treutlen, Turner, Wheeler, White, Wilkinson and Worth counties.
To be designated a Certified Work Ready Community, counties must drive current workers and the available workforce to earn Work Ready Certificates, demonstrate a commitment to improving public high school graduation rates and build community commitment for meeting these goals. Each community must create a team of economic development, government and education partners to create programs to meet the certification criteria.
Accelerated Certified Work Ready Community Grants
Of the 34 new counties seeking Certified Work Ready Community status, 20 have agreed to complete the process in 18 months and have been awarded grants to assist them in meeting the reduced time table.
"The Work Ready program helps communities rally around a clear strategy for developing the kind of workforce companies look for when they choose where to locate their next project," Perdue said. "The long-term benefits Work Ready will deliver to our state will pay dividends for years to come."
The counties receiving grants include: Berrien, Bleckley, Bryan, Camden, Candler, Dodge, Early, Emanuel, Habersham, Johnson, McDuffie, Pulaksi, Screven, Taylor, Telfair, Treutlen, Turner, Wheeler, Wilkinson and Worth counties.
Additionally, six counties that began the Certified Work Ready Communities process in July 2007 applied for the accelerated program and were awarded grants. Those communities include: Meriwether, Talbot, Tift, Toombs, Troup and Upson counties.
The amount of the grants depended on whether or not a community was located within a Work Ready Region that has already received grant funding for multiple counties working together to develop regional talent pools aligned to a existing strategic industry. Counties in a Work Ready Region have been awarded $12,000 to accelerate their existing efforts while providing essential support to the region. Those not within a Work Ready Region have been awarded $35,000 to create momentum toward reaching their goals.
About Work Ready
Georgia's Work Ready initiative is based upon a skills assessment and certification for job seekers and a job profiling system for businesses. By identifying both the needs of business and the available skills of Georgia's workforce, the state can more effectively generate the right talent for the right jobs. Since January 2007, more than 16,500 Georgians have earned Work Ready Certificates. Additionally, 20 companies have hired 965 Work Ready Certified Georgians over than past 12 to 18 months.
For more information on the Work Ready initiative, go to www.gaworkready.org
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