Employers across the country are having a hard time hiring. In response, regions are looking at solutions by expanding the local workforce. This session will share how to build and implement successful partnerships among various regional organizations to build programs that serve individuals with barriers, including offenders and those with little to no work history.

2. Mission
Our goal is to build a world-class workforce that
enables individuals to achieve their highest potential;
ensures employers have the skilled workers they need
to compete effectively in the global economy; and
capitalize on the untapped potential of
underemployed and dislocated workers, youth, and
other job seekers with special needs.

3. "A lot of people don't like to
give second chances."
-Arrendale Transition Center Participant

4. The
Problem
55% of incarcerated individuals did not
graduate high school and have no GED.
http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/
Growing need for skilled workforce in Georgia
8th highest state imprisonment rate
34% high school education or GED only
11% have some form of higher education

5. Welding Construction
Training Programs
Manufacturin
g

6. Provide
participant
s
Provide
training
Provide
employment
Provide
funding
Provide
case management
Building Blocks for Success

7. Accountability
Courts
• Finding and
maintaining
employment is
often a condition
of their program.
• Challenge to
coordinate
training and
employment
Corrections
Facilities
• Very easy to
find individuals
who want to
participate.
• Release dates
and knowing
offender history
is key
• Employment while
in the TC is
required.
• Target employers
so that you are
able to train
candidates with
appropriate
backgrounds.
Transitional
Centers
• Form relationships
and offer GED while
still in the RYDC.
• Transition to SHIFT
program once
released to reach
education and
employment goals.
Regional Youth
Detention
Center
Targeted Populations

8. “The SHIFT program helped me break the
cycle of going in and out of the youth
detention center. I got my GED and I’m on
the way to being the man I should be…”
- SHIFT program participant

9. Whitney Williams
wwilliams@gmrc.ga.gov