September 6, 2012

ATLANTA – State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) is recognizing September as Workforce Solutions Month. Each year, many of the states comprising the nation’s employment security system designate a month to focus attention on their workforce development efforts.

Throughout September, the GDOL will highlight many of the customized workforce solutions available to businesses and individuals through its statewide network of career centers.

“The staff of the Georgia Department of Labor and our workforce partners work continuously to determine the needs of local businesses and ensure that skilled, highly-qualified workers are available to meet their needs,” said Commissioner Butler. “Workforce Solutions Month provides an opportunity for us to recognize our staff, partners, and customers for their ongoing commitment to ensure that Georgia remains competitive in today’s changing economy.

“This month-long recognition allows us to showcase our high-value workforce services, as we launch our new public awareness strategy called EMPLOY GEORGIA!,” Commissioner Butler concluded.

The GDOL provides an array of assistance to hundreds of thousands of jobseekers and employers each year. For example, in 2011, the GDOL:

• helped more than 368,600 people to find jobs;

• posted more than 153,000 job openings for Georgia businesses;

• participated in nearly 900 special recruiting events for almost 2,400 Georgia businesses;

• provided employment assistance to more than 51,000 veterans, their eligible spouses, and transitioning service members;

• issued more than 35,000 Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) vouchers to Georgia businesses;

• conducted employment-related workshops in career centers for nearly 29,000 customers on topics, such as effective job search, interviewing, résumé development, coping with job loss, and financial management;

• created the regional coordinators service strategy to better link the workforce system and economic development community. More than 7,000 connections were made in the first six months of this year;

• piloted GeorgiaBEST (Business Ethics Student Training) in 20 Georgia high schools. Through the 2011-2012 school year, more than 1,600 juniors and seniors participated in GeorgiaBEST, with more that 1,000 of them receiving GeorgiaBEST certificates confirming their understanding of the soft skills and work habits vital for today’s workforce.

To learn more about the services and workforce solutions provided by the GDOL, Get to know us! by visiting www.dol.state.ga.us, or connecting with us on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, which can be conveniently accessed at www.dol.state.ga.us.