(SAVANNAH, GA) Employment Summit Held – Goal to Employ 500 in the area by 2015
Posted by mysavannah on April 29, 2012
Employment Summit Held April 23.
Goal to Employ 5000 in the area by 2015
(SAVANNAH, GA) Goodwill Industries and SEDA hosted an Employment Summit on April 23.
Twenty businesses, education and workforce development leaders met at Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire, Inc. to kick off the Work First initiative to get 5,000 unemployed individuals in the Savannah MSA employed between June 1 and December, 2015.
Representatives from Goodwill, the Savannah Economic Development Authority, the Coastal Workforce Investment Board, Georgia Department of Labor, the Live Oak Library system, the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, Step-up Savannah, Union Mission, United Way of the Coastal Empire and WSAV. County Commissioner Stone was also an active participant.
Discussion included a number of systemic issues specific to employer needs including: lack of life skills and financial management skills by job seekers, substance abuse, and the lack of specific skills in high demand areas. The consortium agreed that some of the needs discussed i.e. engaging youth in primary and middle school were beyond the scope of this initiative but perhaps a focus in another venue.
A sub-committee of those in attendance will explore the extent and type of substance abuse employers are encountering. A second group will look into developing an effective approach to addressing the job readiness of job seekers through engagement of the business sector. In addition, a major Career Fair will be used to initiate the drive for 5,000 jobs. Human Resource managers will be invited to a breakfast prior to the event as a means of enlisting their engagement. It was agreed that the commitment of our business community is essential to success of this endeavor.
For more information please contact Nick Pecone: npecone@goodwillsavannahga.org
912-354-6611, www.goodwillsavannahga.org
Ph: 912/354-6611
Cell: 912/667-6677
Fax: 912/354-3787
