By Andy Diffenderfer, Correspondent
With three Northwest Georgia counties designated Work Ready, a local program coordinator is seeking to continue the employment initiative's momentum in the area.
Patty Hart, who works on the Rock Spring, Ga., campus of Georgia Northwestern Technical College, received a state award in Atlanta late last year for her administrative role with the program. Work Ready, she said, is a valuable tool in luring businesses and matching employers with job seekers who best suit their requirements.
"It gives us a way to validate the skilled work force in this area, and it gives the individual a validation of their skills," she said.
The Work Ready initiative involves three components: job profiling and analysis, individual skill assessments and gap training for those wishing to improve upon particular skills, according to Al Hutchison, associate vice president of economic development at Georgia Northwestern Technical College.
To earn certification, counties must demonstrate a commitment to improving high school graduation rates through a measurable increase, as well as show that a specified percentage of the available work force has obtained Work Ready certificates.
By identifying the needs of businesses and the available skills of the work force, the state more effectively can produce the right talent for the right jobs, Gov. Sonny Perdue said in announcing Walker County's Work Ready certification Dec. 22.
In total, 28 Georgia counties have achieved the designation, including Catoosa and Chattooga.
"We have come up with a program that really helps industry, or any employer of people," Mr. Hutchison said. "It's a win-win situation all around."
Ms. Hart described the state award as a team effort, and added that her goals are "to help Whitfield, Murray and Dade counties become Work Ready Communities of Excellence." She is also responsible for Floyd, Polk and Gordon counties and "spends a lot of time on the road" promoting Work Ready to businesses and chambers of commerce.
Ms. Hart started at the school in 1990 as an adjunct instructor. She has worked for the last eight years in economic development and is still an adjunct teacher. The Villanow, Ga., resident also serves on the board of Walker County Schools.
Andy Diffenderfer is based in LaFayette, Ga. Contact him at andydiff97@comcast.net.