SEVEN STEPS
TO A TRAINED
WORKFORCE

DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION UNVEILS
INITIATIVES TO GUIDE WORKFORCE TRAINING.

WHAT STARTED AS a mile-high stack of papers on DTAE Commissioner Ken Breeden's desk has become seven key initiatives aimed at growing a highly trained, well educated workforce for Georgia. After reviewing strategic plans budget reports, position papers, recommendations and pilot project reports, Breeden selected the areas to focus on for fiscal year 1999.

While it's important to have a long-range strategic plan and a carefully constructed budget, it's vital to have a 'short list' of priorities, too," Breeden said. "These initiatives help show what areas we want to focus on this year and test them for the value they hold for our state's future."

Each initiative targets specific needs of Georgia's employment market, assuring appropriated timely and cost-effective training programs for an increasingly sophisticated and diverse workforce. The Commissioner's initiatives process is in its third year.

As the initiatives are implemented, DTAE's staff analyzes each one's effectiveness and decides which should be continued, expanded, dropped or incorporated into standard business practices.

Undoubtedly, a new stack of reports and recommendations will soon be headed for Commissioner Breeden's desk.

Suzanne Robinson and Kathleen Cason

 

 

	Certified Workforce Making its debut is a Certified Construction Worker program to combat skill shortages in that industry. Certified Manufacturing Specialist and Certified Customer Service Specialist programs, already in place, will continue to be evaluated.
	Virtual Technical Institute The Georgia Virtual Technical institute (GVTI) opens its cyberspace doors this fall to deliver a variety of postsecondary courses via Internet access. (see related article)
	High School & Technical Institute Collaborations New collaborative programs will help high school students complete diploma requirements, gain real-world work experience and earn credits toward technical institute programs.
	Training for Business & Industry Georgia's technical institutes will continue to assess, develop and implement customized training programs to meet training needs of businesses and industries.
	Online Information Service Helping the state's workforce gain greater access to online resources, Georgia's public libraries offer more than 130 information databases through GALILEO (Georgia Library Learning Online).
	Export Assistance Georgia businesses interested in exporting their products can visit one of the state's technical institutes to tap into the Georgia International Trade Data Network (GITDN), a continually updated database sponsored by DTAE and the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism.
	Certified Literate Community Program Adult literacy programs will continue their efforts to make literacy a community-wide commitment.

 

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