About Us

Georgia Work Ready was launched in August 2006 by Governor Sonny Perdue and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce to improve the job training and marketability of Georgia's workforce and drive future economic growth for the state. It is the only initiative of its kind to be conducted through a partnership between a state government and state chamber of commerce, ensuring that companies can more reliably match the right people with the right jobs. Work Ready 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.

Governor's Office of Workforce Development

The Governor's Office of Workforce Development (GOWD) was created by Governor Sonny Perdue in August 2006 to improve the job training and marketability of Georgia's workforce and drive future economic growth for the state. The office administers Work Ready, a voluntary workforce assessment system measuring "real world" skills that employers believe are critical to job success.

GOWD Staff

• Debra Lyons - GOWD Director and State Workforce Investment Board Executive Director
• Fred McConnel - Work Ready Communities Statewide Leader
• JoAnn Berry - Work Ready Communities Assistant
• Robin Folsom - Work Ready Coordinator and Customer Service Administration
• Lori Swink - Work Ready Customer Service Specialist
• Steven Wilson - Work Ready Regions Coordinator
• Chris Baucom - Work Ready Business Development

Contact the Governor's Office of Workforce Development at 404-463-5030.