"Over the years, Georgia has shown its deep commitment to support our military troops and their families," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "This grant will help ensure that Georgia's bases impacted by the BRAC process continue to be valuable assets for our state."
The grant provides funding for regional workforce development projects tied to military base transitions associated with the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC). Specifically, it will fund two regional initiatives over 36 months:
o Fort Benning: $3 million to develop workforce for industrial construction; automotive maintenance and aerospace advanced manufacturing; and information and communication technologies
o Fort Gillem, Fort McPherson, Navy Supply Corps School: $2 million to transition the workforce at these facilities with a focus on new jobs associated with the life sciences industry cluster
"I appreciate the time, energy and funding that Secretary Chao and the Department of Labor have spent on this process," said U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson. "They have recognized both the need for this funding and Georgia's willingness to properly execute what will be a great economic asset to the state."
The work-plans for each project are consistent with the Governor's Work Ready Regions initiative. In Work Ready Regions, multiple counties work together to develop regional talent pools aligned to a common, existing strategic industry. By pooling the strengths of each region, these communities will help their local companies thrive and increase economic development opportunities.
"This grant will transform the workforce from the three bases slated for closure to support our state's growing life science cluster," said Governor Perdue. "It will also create a ready talent pool to support the successful expansion of Fort Benning."
The grant will be administered by the Governor's Office of Workforce Development (GOWD), which worked in partnership with the Atlanta Regional Workforce Investment Board and The Valley Partnership in the BRAC demonstration grant application to the U.S. Department of Labor for funding.
Georgia's Work Ready initiative, a partnership with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, is based upon a skills assessment and certification for job seekers and a job profiling system for businesses. By identifying both the needs of the business and the available skills of Georgia's workforce, the state can effectively develop the employee's skills and match them with the right jobs.
For more information on the Work Ready initiative please visit the Web site at www.gaworkready.org.
http://www.gaworkready.org/