Georgia Quick Start

Georgia Quick Start
Name	Georgia Quick Start
Type	Workforce development program
Founded	1968
Location	Atlanta, Georgia (U.S. state)

Georgia Quick Start Georgia Quick Start is a workforce training initiative based in Atlanta designed to provide customized technical instruction for employers in Georgia (U.S. state), especially within manufacturing, aerospace, automotive industry, and bioscience sectors. It operates in coordination with state economic development entities and regional educational institutions to support workforce readiness for companies relocating to or expanding in Georgia (U.S. state), often interacting with local entities such as Technical college system of Georgia, Economic Development Administration, and Development Authority of Georgia.

Overview

Georgia Quick Start delivers employer-driven training services linking employers with training resources at technical college campuses, workforce centers, and company sites. The program aligns with regional attraction efforts by organizations like Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber, and local Chamber of Commerce offices to expedite workforce onboarding for projects such as Delta Air Lines supply-chain expansions, Lockheed Martin contracts, and Toyota Motor Corporation supplier placements. Quick Start emphasizes rapid deployment, customized curriculum, and hands-on skills development for occupations tied to specific facilities and projects.

History and Development

The program originated amid statewide industrial recruitment activity in the late 1960s, paralleling initiatives by entities like Economic Development Administration (United States), Southern Growth Policies Board, and the United States Department of Labor to build regional capacity. Over subsequent decades Quick Start adapted to shifts from heavy manufacturing to high-tech sectors, engaging with corporate partners including NCR Corporation, Gulfstream Aerospace, Boeing, and Fisker Automotive while coordinating with academic institutions such as University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State University, and the University System of Georgia. Legislative and executive actions by the Georgia General Assembly and governors like Jimmy Carter (earlier), Zell Miller, Jimmy Carter-era economic strategies, and later administrations influenced funding and strategic priorities. The program evolved through collaboration with workforce initiatives promoted by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act stakeholders and regional planning groups such as Atlanta Regional Commission.

Program Structure and Services

Quick Start operates through a network of partner sites including Gwinnett Technical College, Chattahoochee Technical College, Savannah Technical College, Augusta Technical College, and Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Services include customized production training, industrial maintenance instruction, quality control curriculum, and safety certifications aligned with standards from organizations like Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Institute for Metalworking Skills, and American Welding Society. Training modalities encompass classroom instruction, on-the-job coaching, simulation labs, and CNC workshops linked to employers such as Siemens, GE Aviation, Magna International, Panasonic, and Caterpillar Inc. Quick Start also provides pre-employment screening, competency assessment, and incumbent worker upskilling coordinated with workforce boards like Technical College System of Georgia regional workforce boards and economic development authorities.

Impact and Outcomes

The program has supported workforce development for major projects including expansions by Delta Air Lines, Gulfstream Aerospace, and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, contributing to job creation metrics tracked alongside reports by Georgia Department of Economic Development and Atlanta Council of Governments. Outcome measures include reduced hiring lead times, increased retention rates, and improved production ramp-up for employers such as Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Iberia Foods, and Stryker Corporation. Quick Start’s trainings have been cited in workforce case studies alongside programs like Tennessee QuickStart analogs, influencing interstate best practices and partnerships with organizations including National Association of Manufacturers and Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding sources have included state appropriations authorized by the Georgia General Assembly, discretionary support from the Governor of Georgia, and cooperative arrangements with economic development organizations such as Invest Atlanta and county development authorities. Public–private partnerships involve corporations like Lockheed Martin, Delta Air Lines, Toyota Motor Corporation, and suppliers, as well as educational partners including Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Technical College, and private workforce service providers. Federal workforce grants from agencies such as United States Department of Labor and collaboration with foundations like Kresge Foundation have supplemented state funds. Strategic alliances extend to national consortia such as Manufacturing Extension Partnership and certification bodies like the American National Standards Institute.

Eligibility and Application Process

Eligibility typically targets employers undertaking new or expanding operations in Georgia (U.S. state), with priority often given to projects facilitated by Georgia Department of Economic Development or local development authorities. Employers submit requests through regional technical colleges or workforce development offices such as WorkSource Georgia centers, working with program coordinators to define training scope, scheduling, and resource needs. The application process involves needs analysis, curriculum customization, equipment assessment in partnership with entities like National Institute of Standards and Technology and campus facilitators, and performance agreements delineating outcomes, timelines, and cost-sharing arrangements. Candidate selection for trainees often integrates collaboration with local unemployment office services, community colleges, and employer-led recruitment drives.

Category:Workforce development in Georgia (U.S. state)