Georgia Department of Human Services To Create 20,000 Jobs Using Federal Stimulus Funds

The Georgia Department of Human Services will use more than $160 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as an incentive for private- and public-sector employers to hire 20,000 Georgians this summer.

We have a unique opportunity to put Georgians back to work, reinvigorate Georgia businesses and spark an economic recovery across our state, said B.J. Walker, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services. While some states are using federal stimulus funds primarily for social services, we will use ours to put Georgians back to work.

The department is offering huge incentives to employers under two programs, TeenWork, which seeks to hire 15,000 teens this summer and Jobs for Georgia, which will provide incentives for employers to hire 5,000 adult workers.

Under the TeenWork program, employers can hire youths aged 14-18 at a 100 percent subsidy paid by the state. Jobs are available June 1 to July 31, and applicants must come from homes earning less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $66,000 for a family of four.

The Jobs for Georgia program will provide an 80 percent subsidy, with employers paying only 20 percent of the workers' wages. Adult workers must have at least one dependent child and a current household income of less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level.

These jobs will provide opportunities for youths to learn essential new work habits, and will give adults an opportunity to learn new skills, said Commissioner Walker. And it gives employers strong incentives to hire. DHS will also use the federal funds to help families facing one-time emergencies, such as trouble with rent payments, mortgage and utility payments. The department has also set aside funds for child care to ease the path back to employment for working parents. Parents who meet the eligibility guidelines and who are either working (full or part time), in school or a training program or are doing a job search through Department of Labor may qualify to have their childcare paid.

Employers can pledge jobs and prospective employees can apply for jobs at jobsforgeorgia.org, and georgiateenwork.org.

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Governor Perdue Launches Be Work Ready Program

/PRNewswire / -- In tough economic times, it is more important than ever for unemployed Georgians to embrace life-long learning opportunities and improve their core job skills. Governor Sonny Perdue today announced the launch of Be Work Ready, a program designed to help unemployed Georgians jump start their job search, develop confidence and gain a competitive advantage in the job market.

Be Work Ready is a one-of-a-kind initiative providing unemployed Georgians a monetary incentive for either earning a Work Ready Certificate or improving their skills through free, online Work Ready skills gap training. Funding for the initiative is provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

"Georgia is leading the nation in workforce development and is committed to helping our citizens develop the skills that serve as the foundation to a successful job search," said Governor Perdue. "Be Work Ready is meant to inject confidence into Georgia's unemployed population, cultivating a skilled and qualified workforce for business and driving economic development throughout the state."

When an individual earns a bronze, silver or gold level Work Ready Certificate, they are eligible for a $50 incentive; those who earn platinum are eligible for $100. When an individual improves their Work Ready Certificate level in any way, they are eligible for a $100 incentive. The incentive, in the form of a gift card, can be used to offset job search expenses.

Be Work Ready is available to those age 18 or older who are currently unemployed and have earned a Work Ready Certificate and/or improved their Work Ready Certificate level through skills gap training. Those who have earned a Work Ready Certificate since Sept. 1, 2008 are also eligible to apply. Individuals answer a short questionnaire and fill out an application form at www.begaworkready.org to qualify.

Job seekers can also post their Work Ready qualifications at www.begaworkready.org and select a target industry where employers throughout the state will be able to access this information and contact candidates about available jobs.

A Work Ready Certificate, powered by ACT's nationally accredited WorkKeys(R) assessment system, validates an individual's skill and knowledge levels to potential employers. Individuals take the free assessment and earn a certificate at one of four levels - platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Free, online skills gap training helps individuals improve their Work Ready Certificate level.

"The certificate tells employers that Work Ready Certified job seekers possess the skills necessary to hit the ground running and are ready to take on more challenging tasks," said Debra Lyons, director of the Governor's Office of Workforce Development. "By closing the skills gap and increasing life-long learning in Georgia, employers will have a long-term pipeline of skilled and educated workers to take on today's jobs and tomorrow's innovations."

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