A Georgia Senate Study Committee tasked with looking at ways to strengthen and sustain the state’s workforce presented its final recommendations late last week – during their sixth meetings of the off-session. The committee was created as a result of Senate Resolution 275 during the 2023 Legislative Session with bipartisan support and was made up of both legislative and non-legislative members.
“Our focus on expanding Georgia’s workforce is not just a policy initiative; it’s an investment in our state’s future,” said Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, who chaired the committee. “By harnessing the talents and skills of our citizens, we are not only ensuring economic growth but also creating a vibrant and sustainable community for generations of Georgians to come.”
As part of the final meeting, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones stressed the pivotal role of workforce development in Georgia. After his remarks, the committee reviewed and voted on the final report which will guide legislation brought forth during the 2024 Georgia Legislative Session and hopefully result in policies promoting workforce development.
According to the report, several major themes emerged from testimony.
● Employers – both public and private – are facing unprecedented challenges in recruitment and retention. Most agree that marketing, or lack of, poses the most significant challenge to successful recruitment. This is particularly true among the skills trades.
● Most employers agree that there are many opportunities to expand Georgia’s workforce by advertising and enhancing existing programs and partnerships.
● Most employers agree that career exposure must begin by the time students reach middle school, and career development must be strengthened for students in high school.
The report included a number of recommendations, including enacting legislation that calls on the University System of Georgia Chancellor and Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner to develop and coordinate a program for transfer of credits in high-demand careers such as construction management between the two systems.
The committee also recommended the state address professional licensing in several ways:
● Enhance and expand reciprocity agreements in high-demand fields.
● Promote flexibility in occupational licensing requirements (educational and experiential) to maintain and expand talent pipelines for essential workers.
● Allow counties to train CDL drivers instead of requiring an 8-week course through a technical school.
● Explore options for cutting down on prerequisites established by licensing boards.
The committee also addressed program funding including the consideration of increased funding for a tuition reimbursement program in high demand fields and considering a grant program for high school graduates to incentivize gap year. The report also includes a recommendation that stakeholders look at incentives for retirees to return to the workforce, especially in high demand professions such as nursing and teaching.
Policy recommendations centered around workforce marketing of non-traditional education and jobs, especially through early career exposure and focus on long-term career advancement opportunities to middle and high school students and expanding the College and Career Academy system.
