A three-million-dollar federal earmark is helping the University of Georgia’s Archway Partnership support workforce development in the state. Director Michelle Elliott says the funding from the Department of Labor will be used for several programs.
“With this funding specifically, we’ll be able to work with our partners at the Institute of Government to develop workforce plans for each of the Archway communities that we have faculty in and support,” according to Elliott. “Additionally, we have a new shorter-term program called Connected Resilient Communities. It’s going to allow us to double the size of this program.”
The funding will provide resources to help prevent rural brain drain in Archway communities by providing internships.
“The beginning of a rural internship program where students from the University of Georgia go back to Archway communities, live at home, and receive a paid internship with a local industry.”
The program was six weeks long this year, with five interns serving in Pulaski County, Georgia. They worked with the UGA Career Center and the Fanning Institute for Leadership to help develop soft skills employers are seeking.
“With the funding that we’ve received from the federal government, we’re going to be able to expand and grow this program for the next three years,” Elliott said. “We’ll be able to serve more communities and hopefully connect more students back home to those great opportunities in their own back yard.”
