Georgia now has a tool identifying what are and will be, the most in-demand jobs to fill current openings and create a workforce pool for the future.
Called “Georgia’s High Demand Career List’, it was approved by the State Workforce Development Board, according to a news release from Gov. Brian Kemp (R).
“As the number one state to do business for over a decade, maintaining our competitive edge remains a top goal for my administration and our partners in the legislature,” said Kemp. “Georgia’s High Demand Career List is our newest tool in that mission, promoting the alignment of education and training programs to the needs of job creators so we can bring even more opportunities to every part of the state for hardworking Georgians.”
The list is designed to align education, training, and workforce development to complement the needs of Georgia employers.
“The approval of the High Demand Career List marks a significant step in addressing Georgia’s workforce needs,” the release quoted Stuart Countess, CEO of Kia Georgia, and Chair of the State Workforce Development Board. “By identifying careers that are critical to our economy, we can ensure that education and training programs are aligned with employer demands, helping to close skill gaps and provide Georgians with pathways to rewarding, high-paying careers.”
The list pinpoints careers that are in high demand, requiring high skills and providing high wages. It can be used to target improvements in education and job training programs. This information can guide parents and students into critical career choices.
“That list was something that the governor was hinting at during his workforce summit back in September, saying that he wanted a clean list, because we had a few lists,” Dr. Jermaine Whirl, President of Augusta Technical College explained for ABD. “So, now that that list is approved, that is the blueprint that the educational systems in Georgia will utilize to advise, to counsel, and to hopefully shepherd students in the K-12 system and higher education into those areas where we know we’re going to have mass needs of workforce talent if we want to continue to be the number one state to do business.”
Careers included on the list are expected to continue to grow, however they often require specialized training. That can range from certifications to college credentials and apprenticeships.
“So, when you look at that, I think this idea that we really need to be thoughtful about credential attainment at all levels, and understanding that we need students that not only have skilled trades, but may have AI certifications, IT certs, what are those high demand industries that industry is telling us they need, not just for today, but for the next 10 years?” said Whirl. “And how does the Southeast ensure that those skill sets are being taught in K-12 and our higher education institutions to keep us globally competitive.”
The list is available on the Technical College System of Georgia’s website at www.tcsg.edu/ga-high-demand.
The list is broken down by all possible industry categories. Within each category, it identifies the positions that will need to be filled. In addition to the statewide list, it is also broken down for each of Georgia’s 12 regions. Among the largest demands for the C.S.R.A. will be healthcare, manufacturing, and construction.
