Yesterday, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) announced the tremendous statewide impact of their 2024 partnership to meet workforce preparedness needs in rural communities.

GaDOE, in partnership with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Foundation through the Georgia Chamber’s Center for Rural Prosperity, awarded $2.1 million in grants to rural school districts for projects designed to increase workforce readiness. The program supported more than 17,000 students in 64 rural school districts, impacting more than 250 business and industry partners.

The Georgia Chamber released the report as part of the organization’s Rural Day programming at the Georgia State Capitol. Rural Day showcases the Georgia Chamber’s commitment to economic development across Georgia by convening business leaders from across the state for a day of advocacy for rural communities.

Some of the grant-funded projects include:

• Be Pro Be Proud mobile unit visits   

• Georgia FLEX and Flexcellerator  

• Teacher and staff externships  

• Industry certifications for students  

• Skills bootcamps  

• Investments in healthcare and manufacturing programs and pathways 

Daniela Perry, Executive Director of the Georgia Chamber Foundation said:
“Addressing workforce preparedness in our K-12 schools is integral to ensuring future generations are able to confidently enter the workforce and evolve throughout their professional careers. The Georgia Chamber Foundation is proud to bolster the work of innovative education leaders across rural Georgia by enabling these programs for schools that have partnered with their local industries and chambers of commerce.”

Dr. Bronwyn Ragan-Martin, Georgia Department of Education Deputy Superintendent for Rural Education and Innovation said:
“K-12 schools are on the front lines of building our future workforce. Educating students on career opportunities in their communities and equipping them with the necessary skills for career progression enables effective workforce pipelines across the state. The Georgia Department of Education was proud to partner with the Georgia Chamber Foundation on this initiative and is grateful for the Foundation's commitment to rural Georgia, and its students.”

Justina Brown, Operations Manager of Be Pro Be Proud Georgia said:
"We are grateful to the Georgia Chamber for their commitment to workforce development and their investment in rural communities," said Justina Brown, Operations Manager of Be Pro Be Proud Georgia. "Their support in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education has allowed us to expand our reach, giving thousands of students hands-on exposure to high-demand careers. By working together, we are not only opening doors for students but also strengthening Georgia’s workforce for the future.”  

Melissa Dark, Executive Director of Georgia FLEX said:
"We were delighted that the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Department of Education included FLEX in this innovative grant.  It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with rural school districts to offer a unique way to encourage and prepare students for the workforce.  We believe that when students build relationships with local business leaders and their chambers of commerce, we can create a system of networking and support that will positively impact student's lives and their communities--which is what FLEX is all about!"

Click here to read the report: “Increasing Preparedness in Rural Georgia’s Future Generations.”