Workforce issues are on our radar
In the global contest for investment and jobs, Georgia often wins.
Since the beginning of 2011, Georgia has attracted more than 1,100 new businesses, each representing a vote cast for the ecosystem our state has created for business – the intersection of selling points ranging from sunny weather and an accommodative regulatory structure to a diverse and talented workforce. CNBC has ranked Georgia’s workforce the best in the nation twice.
Despite accolades, Georgia companies tell us their biggest challenge is a shortage of well-educated, highly skilled workers. Gov. Nathan Deal has tasked the state team — from the Georgia Department of Economic Development to the University System of Georgia — to identify and address worforce shortages. We have ramped up that effort through a public-private partnership, the Governor’s High Demand Career Initiative (HDCI), which brings state and business leaders together to “find out what is broken and fix it.”
We believe the two-way dialogue will help connect the dots in areas where post-secondary programs and other existing state assets can be more fully utilized. We also anticipate the initiative will lead to radically revised and new economic development programs.
Through 12 meetings around the state, and with up to 100 companies providing reports, the initiative will provide a real-time picture of workforce issues. We expect to learn some new lessons and details regarding issues already on our radar, such as in skilled trades: Employers are unable to fill positions in construction, plumbing, pipe fitting and truck driving, to name a few concerns.
We launched “Go Build Georgia” almost three years ago to change public perception of skilled trade careers. In the last two legislative sessions, the General Assembly passed legislation whereby the HOPE Grant will pay full tuition for Technical College System of Georgia students in seven high-demand areas such as commercial driving, practical nursing, welding and diesel mechanics.
Whatever the results of the initiative, it will be driven by Georgia business. Our mandate is clear: double down on workforce development.
In the medical devices sector, that is exactly what is happening. Quick Start, Georgia’s top-ranked workforce training system, has delivered solutions for new and expanding life science companies including Accellent, Alcon, AngioDynamics and Ethicon.
The technical college system has instituted fast-track certification programs in the life sciences. In 2012 alone, the university system awarded more than 4,700 bachelor of science degrees in biotech and health-related programs. The Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University graduated 190 students.
The ecosystem Georgia has created in the medical devices sector is a model we hope to replicate in other industries. We seek to hear from and deliver for business. We believe this is one more powerful example of our commitment to ensure Georgia remains the No. 1 state in the nation in which to do business.
Ben Hames is deputy commissioner for the Workforce Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
