Got jobs?

A group of 115 enterprising Maxwell High School of Technology students recently earned state certificates showing they possess the skills and maturity necessary to succeed in the job market.

The public school teens received their certification at Gwinnett Technical College while attending high school classes at their neighborhood schools. The college is partnering with the Governor's Office of Workforce Development to provide the work certification program.

The Georgia Work Ready Program is designed to spur economic growth statewide and identify emerging talent among the labor force. Students must pass assessments to receive Work Ready certification.

Officials say the recognition could give certificate-holders a competitive edge in the market place.

"Today's employers often have trouble finding and hiring people with the right skills for the jobs at hand," Ann Sechrist, director of economic development at Gwinnett Tech, said in a statement. "Businesses need new hires that can perform efficiently. A job applicant with a Work Ready certificate tells an employer that he or she is ready to go to work with the skills needed for the job."

Assessment tests for the Work Ready certification program are given in the subjects applied math, reading for information, locating information and work ethics. High school students can take the tests free at Gwinnett Tech.

Anyone who does not earn a certificate on the first attempt is eligible to receive online training through the college. Students can then be retested later.

For more information about Gwinnett Tech's Work Ready program, contact the college's Assessment Center at 678-226-6303. To learn about offerings, call 770-962-7580 or visit www.gwinnetttech.edu.