Peach Tree Times

As businesses and organizations around the country struggle getting people back to work and filling open positions, Georgia is showing a strong performance on the back of the state's Employ Georgia program, which is intended to lead the way in post-COVID-19 economic recovery. 

One of the most significant elements preventing people nationwide from returning to work has been the expanded unemployment benefits provided by the federal government, according to critics. These benefits were intended to be temporary measures. However, for many businesses, this has meant that finding people to fill their open positions has been difficult. 

“Temporary financial support has served its short-term purpose, but providing training opportunities, increased certification, and access to increased education provides long-term solutions,” Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said in a release.

Georgia is responding by phasing out the expanded unemployment benefits, providing incentive for people to return back to work. The state has established Employ Georgia, a large project aimed at returning Georgians to work and stimulating the economy. Currently, Employ Georgia has more than 239,000 open jobs listed on its online portal, with an average salary of $49,000. 

Industries that have experienced the steepest decline in workers include health care, retail trade, accommodation and food services (hospitality), transportation and warehouse, and manufacturing. These industries account for the highest number of job postings on Employ Georgia. Many workers in these fields have opted to continue receiving unemployment benefits instead of returning to work, Valdosta Today reports.

The purpose of Employ Georgia isn't simply a job board. The program offers resources for job training and other modules that help users gain access to quality, high-paying jobs while also helping employers fill their positions. These resources include resume templates, job search assistance, career counseling, skills testing, job fair information and notifications, job training and accessibility features for those with disabilities. 

Jorge Negron, a Georgia native who found work by using the Employ Georgia program, told WTVY that he "was looking for something that would benefit me in the future, and I knew the unemployment benefits wouldn't last forever."

To further incentivize Georgians to use the program, Gov. Brian Kemp announced earlier this month that Georgia will be opting out of federal unemployment assistance effective June 26.