Clayton News Daily

The Georgia Department of Education, recently launched the Georgia International Workforce Development Initiative (GWI), a multi-agency effort to promote job growth in international businesses with existing Georgia operations.

According to Matt Cardoza, a DOE spokesperson, the initiative will build upon the GaDOE’s work over the past couple of years in defining educational pathways, which include training in foreign language, cultural awareness, and sought-after business and technical skills.

“In building the pathways, the GaDOE sought input from key business leaders around the state,” said Cardoza. “It was discovered that, although Georgia continues to experience high unemployment, there are many jobs available — particularly in international businesses — that go unfilled due to training and educational gaps within the local workforce.”

He said through the GWI, the GaDOE received support from the Georgia General Assembly to partner with international businesses to promote job growth by incorporating their training, testing, and other workforce development curricula into the GaDOE’s educational pathways.

“In the end, through the use of these training materials, Georgia students will be able to achieve critical job certifications needed by the business community so they can fill new or existing job openings with the businesses who participate in the program,” said Cardoza.

“We are pleased to have the assistance of the business community in further refining our educational pathways to better prepare Georgia students for good, high-paying jobs,” added State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge. “Even though we are experiencing high unemployment, we have jobs that are open to those who have the appropriate skills.” Barge said the Georgia International Workforce Development Initiative is one step we are taking to ensure students have relevant academics and skills.

Cardoza said the GaDOE is also partnering with YellowPark Garden consultants (www.yellowparkgarden.com) to facilitate the implementation of the GWI by building relationships with international businesses and leading partnership programs designed to fulfill hiring objectives.