ATLANTA – Georgia’s workforce development efforts are being bolstered by a two-year, $1 million grant from The BlackRock Foundation.
The grant to the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) was announced during Monday’s annual leadership summit the system of technical schools sponsored in Atlanta.
The money will help technical college students complete training programs designed to grow Georgia’s pool of skilled workers needed for the state’s rapidly growing construction and advanced manufacturing sectors.
“At The BlackRock Foundation, our mission is to help more people earn, save, and invest, and that includes increasing access to pathways that lead to long-term financial security,” said Claire Chamberlain, the foundation’s president. “This grant reflects our deep commitment to investing in the workforce of the future, and more importantly, putting more Georgians on a path to earning a thriving wage in the state’s high-demand industries.”
With more than 58% of Georgia employers reporting ongoing worker shortages, the state has established a goal of expanding Georgia’s workforce by 20% during the next five years.
“This partnership with The BlackRock Foundation is powerful investment in Georgia’s future workforce,” TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier said. “By helping more students complete training and earn credentials – especially in rural communities and high-demand fields – we’re not only changing lives. We’re building the talent pipeline that keeps Georgia the No.-1 state for business.”
The TCSG oversees 22 technical colleges across Georgia that offer a wide range of workforce development programs, partnering with more than 2,200 companies that provide customized training and job opportunities.