Message from the Director

Serving: Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas and Worth Counties.

As the nation continues to face incredible economic challenges, our workforce board remains focused on developing key strategies to effectively respond to an evolving workforce and a post-recession economy.

As such, the Workforce 44 vision of developing a world-class workforce system that sustains and encourages economic growth guides every aspect of the Board of Directors. In developing this world-class workforce system, holistic strategies are designed that help residents of Georgia's Southwest Area to enter, remain and advance in the workforce while providing employers with workforce talent and services to strengthen the business climate.

As Executive Director of Workforce 44, I am proud to lead the charge of job placement and job retention, innovative workforce strategies, the cultivation of new and existing partnerships, along with public demanded performance and accountability. Our role as the Local Workforce Investment Board (LWIB), has never been more important. Although the local area has made significant progress, the work ahead remains immense.

As most are aware, the State of Georgia as well as our local workforce area continues to weather economic challenges, such as high unemployment, business closures, and the crisis from the global recession. Nonetheless, the LWIB will continue to focus on developing talent at every skill level as a significant driver for economic development in the new economy.

Events

Check out the Events page to find out what is going on in our beautiful town.

Charles Williams Executive Director

We welcome you to the official website of the Southwest Georgia Workforce Investment Board (SWGA WIB), doing business as Southwest Georgia Workforce 44 (Workforce 44).

SWGA WIB is the workforce investment board led by business and government leaders and charged with overseeing the area's workforce system. Its mission is to develop a workforce system in Southwest Georgia that encourages and sustains economic growth.

Southwest Georgia's workforce system provides services including job search, referral and placement assistance as well as training to the area's job seekers and employers.

ASK T.E.D.

Surviving a Layoff Chat January 25, 2012 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Ask T.E.D. (Type, Explore, and Discover) about Surviving a Layoff

Are you struggling with questions like:

I just got laid off – what should I do first?
I'm not laid off yet but it could happen in 2012 – what can I do to keep my
job or if the worst happens, get back to work fast?
I don't qualify for unemployment insurance benefits – what else is there to
help me and my family while I look for a job?
Everyone in my field is losing his or her job – how can I find a new career?
I want a job at the salary I was making before but I cannot find anything.
When is it okay to 'settle?'

If so, join T.E.D. Wednesday, January 25th, 2011 from 11:30am - 1:00pm. Experts will be on hand during this 90-minute Q&A chat session to field your questions and share information about the benefits and resources to
help laid off workers take the next steps toward their futures. During this chat, participants can receive tips, techniques, and resources to help them:

Deal with unemployment
Network
Locate resources - financial & job search
Prepare for interviews
Retool and set goals
Conduct self-assessments
Recognize the Dos and Don’ts of Job Search
Develop effective job search documents
Understand labor market information
Identify retraining opportunities

Workforce Investment Act is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IS THE LAW

It is against the law for the Georgia Department of Labor or the Southwest Georgia Workforce Investment Board to discriminate against any individual in the United States on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, and against any beneficiary of programs financially assisted under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), on the basis of the beneficiary's citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or his or her participation in any WIA Title I-financially assisted program or activity.

Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas and Worth Counties.

Administrative and Fiscal Entity