Tony Smith Named Work Ready's Job Seeker of the Month

ATLANTA – David A. “Tony” Smith of Nahunta is Georgia Work Ready’s latest Job Seeker of the Month. The Job Seeker of the Month initiative recognizes the hard work and determination of Georgia’s job seekers to validate their core job skills and improve their job prospects.

“Job seekers like Tony Smith prove that learning new skills happens throughout a person’s lifetime,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Georgia Work Ready gives individuals the opportunity to evaluate their skill levels in the areas of applied mathematics, reading for information and locating information.” 

Four days after his 53rd birthday, Smith enrolled in the Welding and Joining Technologies program at Okefenokee Technical College in Waycross. Smith was introduced to Georgia Work Ready at the technical college, but he decided to take the assessment after discovering that Work Ready Certification was preferred by a company where he was applying.

Smith puts his new welding and joining skills to use at Carolina Skiff in Waycross. In addition, he also works at Paige’s Minit Market in Hortense.

“I don't think it will be very long before your Work Ready Certificate number will be a permanent part of the application process,” said Smith. “I look forward to the opportunities this addition to my resume will afford me.”

Each month, www.gaworkready.org features a success story of how earning a Work Ready Certificate has improved a job seeker’s confidence and availed him or her with new employment opportunities. Certificate holders are encouraged to visit the website to share stories about their success with Work Ready certification and skills gap training in their search for better job opportunities. Featured Work Ready individuals will receive a $100 pre-paid incentive card in recognition of their hard work.

Since January, at least 6,000 Work Ready Certified Georgians have found jobs, with 74 percent finding employment within two months of Work Ready certification.

Georgia’s Work Ready initiative is based on a skills assessment, certification and skills gap training 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.

For more information on the Work Ready initiative, please visit www.gaworkready.org.

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