Georgia’s technical colleges have long been called the state’s “secret weapon” in workforce development. Thursday, Governor Brian Kemp announced that the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Office of Workforce Development will be receiving a $12 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to help address workforce-related impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 22 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) are Georgia’s top resource for skilled workers. Through the colleges located all across the state, TCSG offers workforce training in 600 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs to students who are trained on state-of-the-art equipment by instructors who are experts in their fields. Georgia’s Office of Workforce Development provides individuals who are unemployed and underemployed with access to training, supportive services, and work-based-learning opportunities through the administration of 19 Local Workforce Development Areas.
“This federal funding will expand our capacity to serve Georgia workers who have experienced hardship due to COVID-19 closures,” said Governor Kemp. “Through employment assistance and training services, TCSG’s Office of Workforce Development will help eligible individuals get back into the workforce as quickly as possible.”
According to Kemp, Dislocated Worker Grants are discretionary grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor. They provide resources to states in response to large, unexpected layoff events that cause significant job losses – all with the purpose of re-employing laid-off workers and enhancing their employability and earnings.
“We are extremely grateful for the funding provided by the U.S. Congress to help our fellow Georgians receive the essential job training needed to get back into the workforce,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “Through no fault of their own, many of our friends and neighbors lost their jobs due to the impact the coronavirus has had on the economy. This grant will help ensure these folks can get back on their feet, back into a job, and back to collecting a paycheck.”
