Bryan County is Work Ready

Bryan County Commissioners Chairman Jimmy Burnsed welcomed business and civic leaders to celebrate Bryan County’s Work Ready Certification.

SAVANNAH – Business and civic leaders from Bryan County gathered this morning to celebrate the County’s official designation as a Work Ready Community of Excellence, indicating that Bryan County has a skilled workforce, ready to meet the needs of business demands, and prepared to drive economic growth with new jobs and new businesses, as well as the educational foundation to build a pipeline of workers ready to create ongoing business success.

Georgia Work Ready is administered through the Technical College System of Georgia. “Workforce development is at the core of everything we do at Savannah Tech,” said Savannah Technical College President Kathy S. Love. “This hard-earned designation demonstrates Bryan County has the trained workforce that businesses demand with the talent to staff existing jobs and the skills to master innovative technologies new jobs will require in the future. By taking part in this effort during the past three years, Bryan County is transforming its economy, while developing a competitive advantage to attract new businesses and jobs.”

Chairman of the Bryan County Commissioners Jimmy Burnsed said: “We are extremely pleased and proud that Bryan County has officially been named a Certified Work Ready Community. This designation will be important to those companies looking to locate in our county.”

Bryan County earned 574 Work Ready Certificates, which is more than double its goal, and increased its high school graduation rate from 83.3% to 84.2%. Seniors at both high schools are Work Ready assessed and have demonstrated high levels of success with more than 215 students earning a certificate to date.

“Bryan County Schools seeks to prepare our students with as many skills possible to help ensure that they are prepared to be successful in all of their future endeavors,” said Chairman of the Bryan County Board of Education Eddie Warren. “By providing and encouraging new opportunities for our students, to acquire marketable skills, we help to ensure they have the ability to compete with other students for education and employment opportunities.”

The Governor’s Office of Workforce Development, represented by Work Ready Communities Outreach Manager Cecelia Buckner, was created by Governor Sonny Perdue in August 2006 to improve the job training and marketability of Georgia’s workforce and drive future economic growth for the state. The office administers Work Ready, a voluntary workforce assessment system measuring “real world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success.

“Recognition by the state as being Work Ready is extremely good news for Bryan County,” said Chairman of the Development Authority of Bryan County Steve Croy. “This achievement will be an important driver in marketing potential business and enable us to be considered an excellent location with a skilled and capable workforce.”

Bryan County joins Effingham and Liberty counties, which were certified Work Ready in June 2011.

“I am excited that Bryan County has achieved this designation as Certified Work Ready,” said North Bryan Chamber of Commerce President and Pembroke Mayor-Elect Mary Warnell. “Being Work Ready will open doors for us as we strive to bring jobs to our community and students who receive their certificates will have a jump start on knowing the skills they can market during their job search.”

Members of the Bryan County Work Ready Leadership Team include:

Mary Warnell – President, North Bryan Chamber of Commerce
Gwen Strickland – Project Manager, Development Authority of Bryan County
Brad Anderson – Assistant Superintendent, Bryan County Public School System
Brian Davis – Manager, Savannah DOL Career Center
Ken Boyd – Vice President of Economic Development, Savannah Technical College

For information call the WORK READY HOTLINE at 912.443.3014 or visit:

http://www.savannahtech.edu/cwo/Economic_Development/Georgia_Work_Ready

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A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Technical College complies with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.