Closing the Skills Gap 10/6/

The Problem Our state's long-term prosperity depends on supporting an education system that is designed to prepare our students for a global economy. A Manpower Survey found 52% of US employers are having difficulty filling critical positions despite 14 million unemployed. 10/6/20152

Background “We are going to see hundreds of thousands of open jobs going unfilled because there is a massive skills gap. It is a very serious problem.” “If this keeps going on, companies and industries will have to import talent in to fill these positions.” “Many of those who perform hands-on jobs like welding are aging, and there is a lack of students willing to learn such specialized skills.” Mark Butler, Georgia Labor Commissioner 10/6/20153

Background “We don’t have enough people coming out of our institutions with the necessary skill sets to align … with the job market. Our students come out of college—not ready.” Melvin Everson, Executive Director Georgia Office of Work Force Development. 10/6/20154

Background In pointing to a robot welder: "This is a good example of a robot welder, If I could find five welders, I would have avoided a half-million-dollar investment in a robot.” "I do not have this problem in India. I don't have this problem in Brazil or indeed China.“ President and CEO John Patterson, JCB Savannah 10/6/20155

Background "We are looking for folks with skills that are have experience in logistics management, electricians, warehousing, those types of things. The problem is, job-seekers lack those skills “ Cindy Landolt, Nine County Coastal Workforce Services 10/6/20156

It’s Not Just Technical Skills JCB recently interviewed 800 potential hires more than half -- couldn't pass a drug screen. Southern Education Desk, October /6/20157

It’s Not Just Technical Skills "A lot of the things that have also been expressed to us from employers has been a lack of soft skills: Abilities to communicate and work in a team, work ethic, the understanding that you need to get to work on time and be there the whole day.” Cindy Landolt, Nine County Coastal Workforce Services 10/6/20158

More skilled workers key to Georgia’s economic future Maintenance technicians, medical technicians, welders, medical assistants — all are jobs that will be in greater demand as the economy retools itself and, importantly, baby boomers retire from these positions. 10/6/20159

More skilled workers key to Georgia’s economic future These jobs can’t be off-shored. If you come out of technical college with the right background, you’ll make more than some people with a bachelor’s degree. 10/6/201510

According to the Governor’s office, a projected 16,500 jobs will become available in the state over the next year. Those jobs openings will all be part of the skilled labor field and Gov. Deal's “Go Build Georgia” initiative was put into place to help job-seeking Georgians prepare for those jobs. 10/6/201511

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You Can See The Biggest Sectors of Employment In Our Area Are: Construction Education and Health Services Leisure and Hospitality Manufacturing Transportation, Trade, Utilities 10/6/201513

Our Biggest Sectors of Employment Are Also Among the Fastest Growing 10/6/201514

Greene County 2010 Census Population……………………………………15,994 Percent of persons age 25+ with at least high school diploma or GED……………………….…….75.6% Percent of persons age 25+ with at least bachelor’s degree………………20.7% 10/6/201515

BOTTOM LINE *The skills gap is beginning and it is widening. *The biggest employment sectors in our area also some of the fastest growing. This will contribute to this skills gap. *Skills gap means job opportunity. *Most Greene County residents do not earn a 4 year degree– that’s o.k. *Get a technical college degree, get a job, earn a good living, and have no student loan debt. 10/6/201516