The Athens Area Community Foundation, in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, will host a convening and discussion on two of the biggest economic threats facing the state of Georgia today: improving college access and affordability and meeting workforce needs. The event, to be held on July 30th at the Oconee County Civic Center, will include a community discussion on the state of Georgia’s workforce talent gap, the economic challenges it poses, and the potential educational solutions to close this gap.
 
“We are dedicated to educating the public about this challenge to Georgia’s economic growth, as well as elevating solutions to support the state’s college completion rate,” said Hank Huckaby, Board Member of the Athens Area Community Foundation. “With this event, we will convene local leaders and the public to generate thoughtful discussion and inspire action.”
 
The talent gap, a shortage of qualified individuals who can fill open jobs for the state’s employers, is worsening. As diverse companies have moved into the state, Georgia’s workforce education and training has not kept pace. Projections show by the year 2025 an estimated 60 percent of jobs in the state will require some type of post-secondary education, whether a certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree. However, only about 47 percent of the workforce currently meets that standard.

To continue the economic growth of the state with a prepared workforce, Governor Nathan Deal launched Complete College Georgia in 2011 with the goal of closing the talent gap by raising students’ post-secondary school completion rate. This effort will help meet the ultimate goal of 250,000 additional credentialed or degreed employment candidates by the year 2025.
 
One way to help is by making gap funding available for financially vulnerable students. Each year in Georgia, 15,000 students are discharged from the class rolls in the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia due to unpaid balances that average just $1,200.

The event will feature student stories and local expertise to enlighten and engage the community and ultimately elevate solutions to support Georgia’s workforce in the state’s prosperous economic future. For more information or to register, visit www.athensareacf.org.