Governor Perdue Launches Be Work Ready Program

Earning a Work Ready Certificate, Improving Core Skills Can Help Fund Job
Search

ATLANTA, May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In tough economic times, it is
more important than ever for unemployed Georgians to embrace life-long
learning opportunities and improve their core job skills. Governor Sonny
Perdue today announced the launch of Be Work Ready, a program designed to help
unemployed Georgians jump start their job search, develop confidence and gain
a competitive advantage in the job market.

Be Work Ready is a one-of-a-kind initiative providing unemployed Georgians a
monetary incentive for either earning a Work Ready Certificate or improving
their skills through free, online Work Ready skills gap training. Funding for
the initiative is provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA).

"Georgia is leading the nation in workforce development and is committed to
helping our citizens develop the skills that serve as the foundation to a
successful job search," said Governor Perdue. "Be Work Ready is meant to
inject confidence into Georgia's unemployed population, cultivating a skilled
and qualified workforce for business and driving economic development
throughout the state."

When an individual earns a bronze, silver or gold level Work Ready
Certificate, they are eligible for a $50 incentive; those who earn platinum
are eligible for $100. When an individual improves their Work Ready
Certificate level in any way, they are eligible for a $100 incentive. The
incentive, in the form of a gift card, can be used to offset job search
expenses.

Be Work Ready is available to those age 18 or older who are currently
unemployed and have earned a Work Ready Certificate and/or improved their Work
Ready Certificate level through skills gap training. Those who have earned a
Work Ready Certificate since Sept. 1, 2008 are also eligible to apply.
Individuals answer a short questionnaire and fill out an application form at
www.begaworkready.org to qualify.

Job seekers can also post their Work Ready qualifications at
www.begaworkready.org and select a target industry where employers throughout
the state will be able to access this information and contact candidates about
available jobs.

A Work Ready Certificate, powered by ACT's nationally accredited WorkKeys(R)
assessment system, validates an individual's skill and knowledge levels to
potential employers. Individuals take the free assessment and earn a
certificate at one of four levels - platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Free,
online skills gap training helps individuals improve their Work Ready
Certificate level.

"The certificate tells employers that Work Ready Certified job seekers possess
the skills necessary to hit the ground running and are ready to take on more
challenging tasks," said Debra Lyons, director of the Governor's Office of
Workforce Development. "By closing the skills gap and increasing life-long
learning in Georgia, employers will have a long-term pipeline of skilled and
educated workers to take on today's jobs and tomorrow's innovations."

About Georgia Work Ready
Georgia's Work Ready initiative is based on a skills assessment and
certification for job seekers and a job profiling system for businesses. By
identifying both the needs of business and the available skills of Georgia's
workforce, the state can more effectively generate the right talent for the
right jobs. The Certified Work Ready Community and Work Ready initiatives
build on the assessments and job profiling system to create opportunities for
greater economic development.

For more information on the Work Ready initiative please visit the Web site at
www.gaworkready.org

SOURCE Governor's Office

Office of Communications, +1-404-651-7774