Are You Certified Work Ready?

The staff in the Economic Development department at Sandersville Technical College is teaming up with local industries and area Chambers of Commerce to become a Georgia Work Ready region. Meeting the economic development needs of STC’s 5-county service area is a vital part of Governor Perdue’s Georgia Work Ready Initiative and will provide the region with a marketable asset – a skilled workforce – that will be attractive to new and expanding industries. The governor’s purpose for the Georgia Work Ready initiative is to assess the real world skills of Georgia’s workers, provide valuable job training and help companies reliably match the right people with the right jobs.

For the local communities, the Georgia Work Ready status will be a valuable tool to attract new businesses to Sandersville Technical College’s 5-county service area, proof of a talented workforce to fill current and future jobs, and provide economic growth opportunities. Local businesses will be assured that employees have the right skill sets to improve hiring procedures, reduce turnover and training costs, increase productivity, and improve employee morale.

The benefits for the area workers and job seekers include the ability to demonstrate skill to current and potential employers, valuable job training opportunities, and a chance for career change and advancement in their present position.

Leigh Evans, Vice President of Economic Development, is responsible for the initiative at Sandersville Technical College. She stated, “With the new and expanding businesses in our area needing skilled employees, the Georgia Work Ready certificate is an excellent tool for individuals to market their skills to potential employers.”

Area companies currently using Georgia Work Ready Certificates as part of their hiring procedures are Thomson Plastics’ plant in Sandersville and the Jefferson County EMC. Trojan Battery, Thermo King and Glit are scheduled to begin using this program for their companies in the near future. Evans reported that there will be more firms added to this list as more employers see the benefits of the program.

(2008, Spring Quarter Issue). The Fall Line Connector, p 1.