Jasper Is Named ‘Work Ready’

The Governor’s Office of Workforce Development recently named Jasper County and six other counties a Certified Work Ready Community.

Certified Work Ready means Jasper County has the skilled workforce needed to meet business demands and drive economic growth, as well as the educational foundation to build a pipeline of workers to create ongoing success, according to the announcement from the governor’s office.

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Jasper County, as a new Certified Work Ready Community, earned 452 Work Ready Certificates, exceeding its goal by 232 percent, and increased public high school graduation from 73.9 percent to 76.7 percent over the last year.

Jasper County School Superintendent Mike Newton, EdD, was excited to hear the news and said, “I am very pleased that Jasper County has received the ‘Work Ready Community’ certification. Many individuals have worked diligently to achieve this recognition, but I am especially proud that the increase in our graduation rate at Jasper County High School contributed heavily to attaining work ready status.”

The county will receive a $7,000 grant to continue its work, and the Work Ready Community team will also receive a two-year membership to the Monticello/Jasper County Chamber of Commerce (COC).

Jasper County will also receive “Work Ready” road signs.

“We would like to congratulate these seven counties on reaching their goals becoming Certified Work Ready,” said Tricia Pridemore, Executive Director of the Georgia Work Ready program. “The Georgia Work Ready program is heading in a positive direction looking to lower the unemployment rate and boost our high school graduation numbers.”

The new Certified Work Ready Communities also include Clinch, Haralson, Heard, Lincoln, Oconee and Quitman.

Southern Crescent Technical College, Jasper County campus, approached the COC last year and asked it to be team leader for the project. Much of the work that was required was accomplished at Jasper County High School.