State Labor office recognizes September as Workforce Solutions Month

Media release: State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler says the Georgia
Department of Labor is recognizing September as Workforce Solutions Month.
Each year, many of the states comprising the nation's employment security
system designate a month to focus attention on their workforce development
efforts.

Throughout September, the GDOL will highlight many of the customized
workforce solutions available to businesses and individuals through its
statewide network of career centers.

"The staff of the Georgia Department of Labor and our workforce partners
work continuously to determine the needs of local businesses and ensure that
skilled, highly-qualified workers are available to meet their needs," said
Commissioner Butler. "Workforce Solutions Month provides an opportunity for
us to recognize our staff, partners, and customers for their ongoing
commitment to ensure that Georgia remains competitive in today's changing
economy.

"This month-long recognition allows us to showcase our high-value workforce
services, as we launch our new public awareness strategy called EMPLOY
GEORGIA!," Commissioner Butler concluded.

The GDOL provides an array of assistance to hundreds of thousands of
jobseekers and employers each year. For example, in 2011, the GDOL:

• helped more than 368,600 people to find jobs;

• posted more than 153,000 job openings for Georgia businesses;

• participated in nearly 900 special recruiting events for almost 2,400
Georgia businesses;

• provided employment assistance to more than 51,000 veterans, their
eligible spouses, and transitioning service members;

• issued more than 35,000 Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) vouchers to
Georgia businesses;

• conducted employment-related workshops in career centers for nearly 29,000
customers on topics, such as effective job search, interviewing, résumé
development, coping with job loss, and financial management;

• created the regional coordinators service strategy to better link the
workforce system and economic development community. More than 7,000
connections were made in the first six months of this year;


• piloted GeorgiaBEST (Business Ethics Student Training) in 20 Georgia high
schools. Through the 2011-2012 school year, more than 1,600 juniors and
seniors participated in GeorgiaBEST, with more that 1,000 of them receiving
GeorgiaBEST certificates confirming their understanding of the soft skills
and work habits vital for today's workforce.