Middle Georgia Technical College

MGTC to Host Governor's Workforce Development Town Hall on Soft Skills in Education

Middle Georgia Technical College will host the Governor''s Office of Workforce Development Town Hall on Soft Skills in Education Tuesday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m. This session is one of a series of 31 public town hall meetings across the state that allow Georgians, most importantly students, parents, business leaders, and Georgia's professional educators, to be a part of the establishment of a statewide certification in soft skills for Georgia's schools.

Governor Deal signed House Bill 186 into law on May 13, 2011. This important legislation authorizes The Governor's Office of Workforce Development to establish certification in soft skills such as punctuality, ability to learn, appropriate business attire, and ability to work as a team.

This certification will complement the current assessment system utilized in Georgia to assess knowledge in applied math, reading for information, and locating information. Upon graduation, student would have both a diploma and certification in soft skills and work readiness.

These meetings will unite Georgia as the office of Workforce Development works to establish an effective set of soft skills to ensure that our emerging workforce is prepared to achieve success in the workplace.

Executive Director Melvin Everson of the Governor's Office of Workforce Development will host a panel of local leaders to engage with the public on this important initiative.

Panel members will include representatives from the Department of Education, Middle Georgia Technical College, Georgia Department of Labor, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia PTA, local Chambers of Commerce, local business owners, local school system officials, local elected officials, and legislators.

"The number one priority of my administration is to create jobs for Georgia," said Governor Deal. "These important Town Halls will establish a synergy for our great educational system to partner with our business community to prepare Georgia students to enter the workforce with those vital social skills necessary in the 21st Century workplace."

The Town Hall at MGTC will begin at 6:30pm and will last 1.5 hours. The format will include a welcome, an orientation presentation by Director Melvin Everson, and a presentation by the Department of Education on the importance of soft skills. Following the presentation Director Everson will moderate questions and comments from the audience for the panel.

Each session will be videotaped and hosted on The Governor's Office of Workforce Development social media sites. For more information about the Town Hall on Soft Skills, visit gaworkready.org or follow MGTC on Facebook for event information and updates. Visit the events calendar at gaworkready.org for other dates for Soft Skills Town Hall meetings across the state.