GA DOL Online Chat Kicks off Programs for September

Georgia Department of Labor’s online chat kicks off “Workforce Development” programs for September.
ATLANTA – State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) will host an online chat about “Workforce Development” Wednesday, Aug. 31. The live chat will kick-off a month-long series of events designed to help businesses and job seekers succeed in today’s changing economy. The chat will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the GDOL website www.dol.state.ga.us .

The 90-minute, question-and-answer chat, one of the new services provided by the department, is called “Ask T.E.D.” (Type, Explore, Discover). GDOL experts will be available to help job seekers, employers, businesses, and workforce professionals learn more about the services of the department. Services include: recruiting assistance, help exploring careers, jobs, help with layoffs at companies, education, training and re-training, tax credit information, unemployment insurance, veterans services, information about labor trends, salaries, “hot” occupations, resume-writing, assistive technology or accommodations for disabilities, bonding assistance, support services such as childcare and transportation while in training, space for interviewing job applicants, financial aid information, on-the-job training, help coping with unemployment, information about unemployment taxes and benefits, incentives to help businesses grow, help in cutting the costs of hiring new employees, and earning while learning.

Employers, job seekers, and workforce professionals are encouraged to participate in the chat. To sign up for a reminder, or sign into the chat on the day of the event, go to the Spotlight or Quicklinks sections on the GDOL website at www.dol.state.ga.us.

Also scheduled to debut in September are two video contests, one for job seekers and one for employers. Contestants will produce a video about the success they have had using GDOL services and post their videos on YouTube. They should then send the link of their video to Kristen.Baker@dol.state.ga.us. The deadline to enter is Sept. 30. The winning jobseeker will receive a “Complete Career Makeover,” while the winning employer will receive a “Customized Business Services Consultation,” provided by GDOL experts.

Other events scheduled during the month include podcasts that will be posted on the GDOL Facebook page. The first podcast, entitled “Monday Morning Resume,” will air after 10 a.m., beginning Sept. 5. The topic is “How to Develop a Dynamic Resume Objective.” Two other podcasts, entitled “Afterhours,” are scheduled to air after 5 p.m. on Sept. 12 and Sept. 26. Topics are based on themes highlighted during the previous Ask T.E.D chat on “Workforce Development.”