CNBC recently named Georgia’s workforce the best in the nation. One of the many ways the state’s workforce is so robust is that every layer works together to improve it.

Whether it’s local workforce advocates working with private businesses and the local schools, or the Technical College System of Georgia helping educate apprentices with local businesses, a community working together to develop the best workforce is exactly what it takes to do just that, create the best workforce.

The University of Georgia wants to do its part, as it recently announced it would offer workforce development and work-based learning initiatives to local youth beginning this fall. 

From the official write-up on the “Future Promise” program:

UGA has joined the Great Promise Partnership, a program implemented in the Clarke County School District and coordinated through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs that connects organizations with local at-risk youth through part-time jobs. 

"After hearing the community feedback, this partnership seemed to be a natural connection for the university," said Alison McCullick, director of community relations for the UGA Office of Government Relations. "GPP has been a successful workforce development program across the state of Georgia for five years, and as the largest employer in Clarke County, the university was interested in becoming engaged." 

Through GPP, part-time jobs will be offered to students at risk of dropping out of high school to provide practical workforce experience, as well as extra support and mentoring opportunities to keep students on track for graduation. Part-time job placement will begin in the spring of 2018.

In addition to GPP, the University of Georgia will offer internships across the university to encourage work-based learning development. Internships will be based in a student's field of interest and will directly relate to academic goals set by the students. Internships will be available in multiple areas such as the College of Education, the Office of Research and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, with more opportunities being added throughout the year.