NEGRC CONNECTS EDUCATORS AND BUSINESSES THROUGH EXTERNSHIPS
Phone:(706) 369-5703
Outside Local Area: 1 (800) 533-5872
Auxiliary Aids Available Upon Request To Individuals With Disabilities TDD/TTY DIAL 7-1-1
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Foothills Education Charter High School Welding Program
In 2018, the Workforce Development Board/WIOA began a partnership with Foothills Education Charter High School to offer Foothills students 10-week welding program opportunities at schools within the Foothills network. Since the start of the project, multiple cohorts have graduated from the program including recent graduates in Barrow, Madison, and Morgan Counties.
The welding program organizers work with employers and staffing agencies to understand the local workforce needs and then prepare students through the short-term skills training to meet those needs. Students earn American Welding Society certifications and professional development skills that align closely with local employer needs.
Two mobile units purchased in 2018 by NEGRC/NEGWDB are used for welding and industrial mechanical instruction, as well as for increasing community awareness related to jobs in the manufacturing industry.
US DOL Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) grant
The NEGRC Workforce Development Division received a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission in 2021 to create short-term certification trainings for residents of Elbert, Madison, Jackson, and Barrow Counties. The application is in response to an Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) request for grant proposals: (FOA-ETA-20-04/ Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities).
The funds are being utilized to support initiatives that create economic prosperity and gainful employment opportunities in counties included in the Appalachian region. ARC WORC collaborations include:
– Project Adam, Barrow County Drug Court, and Lanier Technical College collaborate to offer GED and welding certification.
– Madison and Barrow Foothills Charter Education Systems offer 10-week WeldReady Certification Training to an emerging workforce
– Lanier Technical College offers Poultry Pathways Program
Morgan County WeldReady Training in partnership with United Way of Northeast Georgia
ACTION, Inc. and Newton County Sheriff’s Department
COVINGTON — The Newton County Sheriff’s Office, in its ongoing partnership with Action Inc., graduated five female inmates from the Women’s Welding Training Program on Aug. 19.
The five who graduated are: Shannon Horne, Sharlene Clark, Aaliyah Roach, Jody Meeks and Siara Morgan. Four of the graduates have already been offered jobs upon release from the detention facility through the NCSO’s Workforce Development Office.
The starting pay rate for the field of welding begins at $18-22/hour, and there are no caps on the pay welders can receive for their work.
“I am grateful for the continued partnership the Office of the Sheriff has with Action Incorporated, and the positive opportunities provided to the inmate residents housed in our facility,” said Sheriff Ezell Brown. “The programs we offer to the inmate residents housed in the Newton County Detention Center provide the skills and training needed to return to society as law-abiding citizens. I congratulate every one of our graduates for
completing the Welding Training Program. Also, I thank all those who provided support and encouragement to these graduates during the last few weeks. They couldn’t have done it without your support and encouragement.”
When asked how the Welding Training Program will shape her future, Morgan stated, “This program has taught me a lot of life skills. I’ve learned a lot of new things, and I now have a new perspective on life. It’s looking like a very bright future for me and my children. I thank Sheriff Brown and all the staff at the Newton County jail for giving us this great opportunity to change our lives. I also want to thank everyone at Action Inc. Their whole team was great.”
Participants in the welding program had the opportunity to participate in the American Welding Society’s Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) Sheet Metal tests following the end of the program’s course. The WPS Sheet Metal tests are administered by an AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and graded on the following: a visual inspection of the welding coupon and a “bend test,” which tests the integrity of the welded coupon.
All the graduates of the Welding Training Program passed the WPS Sheet Metal tests.
For more information about the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, please visit www.newtonsheriffga.org or follow @newtonsheriffga on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Services
Our office offers a variety of workforce development services. If you are interested in applying or learning more about any of the services below, please call our office at 706-369-5703.
Adult & Dislocated Worker
The Adult & Dislocated Worker program provides tuition assistance to those interested in furthering their education, and thereby gaining the knowledge and skills necessary for better employment. Those eligible for the program may receive financial assistance to attend post-secondary education at a program on our Eligible Provider List.
Youth & Young Adult (Ages 14-24 )
This program provides tuition assistance to those interested in furthering their education, and thereby gaining the knowledge and skills necessary for better employment. Those eligible for the program may receive financial assistance to attend post-secondary education at a program on our Eligible Provider List.
Special Populations
Services for individuals in this program are provided by ACTION, Inc., Athens Technical College, and Bread for Life. The Special Populations program concentrates on individuals in at least one of the following categories: offender, SNAP recipient, older worker (55+), veteran, individual experiencing substance abuse, single parent, and survivor of domestic violence.
Check back frequently for available RFP’s and other Public Notices
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WorkSource Northeast Georgia?
WorkSource Northeast Georgia is the state of Georgia brand for the nation-wide program that is funded through the federal Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA).
What is the purpose of WIOA?
The purpose of WIOA is to provide workforce preparation and educational opportunities, which may include tuition assistance to prepare individuals for the workforce.
What counties do we serve:
WorkSource NEGA serves 12 counties in Georgia: Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton.
What Services do we offer?
Tuition Assistance (18+)
WorkSource NEGA works with technical colleges and eligible training institutions to fund certain post-secondary programs. To see the full list of programs please refer to the eligible provider list.
Training programs range from a few weeks long (i.e. truck driving) to two years (i.e. an associate’s degree). In some instances, we are able to help fund the final two years of a four-year degree.
What are the eligibility requirements?
- Ages 18+
- Resides in the region
- Meets ONE of the following criteria
- Unemployed
- Below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
- 18-24 and meets one of the following criteria
- Low-income
- Pregnant
- Parenting
- Homeless
- Disabled
- Ex-offender
- Foster Child
- Must plan to be a full-time student with a 2.0+ GPA
- Must plan to go to work upon completion of schooling
- Additional eligibility requirements apply
What are the benefits?
- Financial assistance with tuition, books, fees, tools, and supplies; up to $7500 for two-year academic program
- Case management
- Travel and childcare allowance if eligible
- Emergency assistance is available on a case by case basis
High School Youth Program (14-21)
This program is managed by one of our providers, ACTION, Inc., to help high schoolers prepare for the workforce. Services may include summer job opportunities, tutoring, career exploration, and job readiness training. To be eligible, applicants much be low-income and have at least one additional barrier in the workforce.
GED & Skills Training (16-24)
The following three providers offer GED and/or occupational skills training, along with life/soft skills training, job readiness training and internship opportunities. To be eligible an individual must meet one or more of the following criteria: low-income, pregnant, parenting, homeless, disabled, ex-offender, drop-out, or be in foster care.
- Paxen Learning Corp (18-24): GED Instruction serving Clarke and surrounding areas: Phone (706) 850-7220
- Athens Technical College’s Bridge to Success Program (16-24) Occupational training such as welding, along with GED instruction if needed. Classes are offered in Clarke, Elbert, and Walton Counties. Phone (706) 552-0964
- ACTION, Inc.’s Accelerated Opportunities Program (16-24): Case management and tuition assistance for students attending Lanier Technical College for GED and occupational training. (706) 308-9215
