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The University of North Georgia (´óÏó´«Ã½) spent the past three years helping students in Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Hall, and Lumpkin counties gain employability skills through projects funded by a $1.45 million U.S. Department of Labor grant. ´óÏó´«Ã½ provided 4,630 total services through the grant.

These efforts align with Gov. Brian Kemp's emphasis on Georgia's universities and technical colleges partnering with K-12 schools for workforce development, which Kemp announced in early October at the inaugural Workforce Georgia summit.

"It's not that students lack employability skills," Bobbi Larson, executive director of economic development and community engagement and principal investigator for the grant, said. "They lack knowledge about different industries and jobs and the confidence to apply these skills. The opportunities provided through the Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) grant helped build that confidence and context as to how these skills were applicable in a work setting."

The final major effort funded by the WORC grant was a collaboration with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) to bring a NFTE World Series of Innovation event to ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Dahlonega Campus on Sept. 19.

Gainesville High School students heard from keynote speaker Rahfeal Gordon, international award-winning entrepreneur and author, and had a chance to practice their entrepreneurial abilities in a competition judged by ´óÏó´«Ã½ President Michael Shannon, faculty member Dr. Mariangela Vecchiarini-Piazza, Gordon, and Gainesville City School System Superintendent Jeremy Williams.

"The opportunity ´óÏó´«Ã½ and NFTE provided our students was timely and enhanced critical thinking skills. Entrepreneurship continues to grow, and our students were able to have first-hand experience in developing ideas while being supported by coaches," Williams said. "We are appreciative of the springboard this event will serve as for future ideas and collaboration."

Katherine Turcios Garcia, a Gainesville High student, enjoyed learning from the speakers at the NFTE event at ´óÏó´«Ã½.

It's not that students lack employability skills. They lack knowledge about different industries and jobs and the confidence to apply these skills. The opportunities provided through the Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities grant helped build that confidence and context as to how these skills were applicable in a work setting.

Bobbi Larson

´óÏó´«Ã½ executive director of economic development and community engagement