Lincoln County was named as one of the 34 additional Georgia counties that have made a commitment to earning "Certified Work Ready Community Status" as a means of driving the state's economic development and ensuring citizens have the skills necessary to succeed in the workplace.

The announcement was made recently by Governor Sonny Perdue.

"In less than two years, Work Ready has helped transform our state and make our workforce our number one competitive advantage," stated Perdue. "This initiative is creating new opportunities for Georgia workers and ensuring that our state's employers have stable, talented employees to help them succeed.

"Basically, the Work Ready program helps communities rally around a clear strategy for developing the kind of workforce companies look for when they decide where to locate their next project," the governor continued. "The benefits Work Ready will deliver to our state will pay dividends for years to come."

When Lincoln County and the other 34 communities receive their certification, nearly 70 percent of Georgia communities will be Work Ready certified.

According to Alana Burke, executive director of the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Development Authority, "Having a certified workforce means that companies that do business in Lincoln County are assured we have qualified workers who can help them achieve their goals. The designation will also improve the quality of life for local workers."

Companies that use the Georgia Work Ready Certificate program to assess their incoming and current workforce can achieve substantial benefits including:

..Improved employee selection and advancement procedures.

.. Reduced overtime. .. Reduced turnover. .. Increased productivity.

.. Higher employee morale.

To be designated as a Certified Work Ready Community, counties must motivate current workers and the available workforce to earn Work Ready Certificates, demonstrate a commitment to improving public high school graduation rates, and build community commitment for meeting these goals.

Toward this end, each community must establish a team of economic development, government, and education partners to create programs to meet the certification criteria.

Georgia's Work Ready initiative is based upon a skills assessment and certification for job seekers and a job profiling system for businesses. By identifying both the needs of businesses and the available skills of Georgia's workforce, the state can more effectively generate the right talent for the right jobs.

Since January of 2007, more than 16,500 Georgians have earned Work Ready Certificates. Additionally, 20 companies have hired 965 Work Ready Certified Georgians over the past 12 to 18 months.

For more information on the Work Ready initiative, visit the following website: www.gaworkready.org.