Sixth NADO Workforce Development Impact Awarded in Six Years in Northeast Georgia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2025
Contact: Shelley Logan, Business Partner
Workforce Strategies Group, LLC
678-316-0792 | shelley@workforcestrategiesgroup.com
Sixth NADO Workforce Development Impact Awarded in Six Years in Northeast Georgia
Gainesville, GA– Georgia Mountains Works Partnership and Workforce Strategies Group, LLC are proud to announce that they have now been recognized six times over the past six years by the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) through its prestigious Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Awards. This continued recognition reaffirms their leadership in designing and implementing workforce development solutions tailored to the manufacturing sector in Region 2, northeast Georgia.
NADO’s Impact Awards highlight regional development initiatives that are not only innovative, but also replicate best practices, promote sustainability, and deliver measurable results to communities and industries.
Over the six years, the following standout projects and programs implemented by Georgia Mountains Works and Workforce Strategies Group have been awarded:
- Empowering Employers Through Apprenticeships (Webinar Series)
In this initiative, the region delivered six short, 15-minute webinars, each addressing a unique dimension of Registered Apprenticeships such as funding models, employer roles, recruitment, and best practices. These webinars provided accessible professional learning, lowered the barrier for new apprenticeship adopters, and allowed smaller manufacturers to engage without a major resource burden.
- Supervisor & Industry Leadership (SAIL) Training
SAIL is a 12-week, employer-driven leadership and supervisory training program. It is tailored to the production environment, combining classroom modules, hands-on projects, and mentorship. The academy was designed based on direct employer input to ensure practical relevance and has contributed to more capable frontline supervisors and increased retention.
- Quality Control Technician Apprenticeship
QCT Apprenticeship is designed to elevate local manufacturers’ internal capacity for quality assurance. By embedding apprentices into businesses, a pipeline of skilled QC technicians is synchronized with employer needs. Quality Control Technician was identified by the Georgia Mountains Works Occupational Priority and was then developed as an apprenticeship with employer input and subsequently certified as a USDOL Registered Apprenticeship.
- Weld Ready Boot Camp
A short-term training track aimed at high school students and youth, focused on welding fundamentals and readiness for local positions. The program has been replicated annually, helping bridge entry into manufacturing careers.
- Electromechanical Academy
Recognizing the convergence of electronics, mechanics, and control systems in modern manufacturing, the Electromechanical Academy equips participants with cross-disciplinary skills. Initially started in local high schools, the program has been replicated annually, expanded its reach in both high schools as well as adult students, and been adopted by Poultry Pathways and a preferred bridge into employment by invited employer participants.
- Apprenticeship 101
This foundational effort explored priority industry occupations across Region 2 and co-developed custom apprenticeship tracks aligned with those priorities. Through stakeholder engagement and labor market analysis, the program helped define what “apprenticeship” pathways made sense locally, then built frameworks to support them.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining & Expanding Impact
Workforce Strategies Group remains committed to offering workforce development solutions that the manufacturing sector genuinely needs and can sustain. By combining strong partnerships with employers, educational institutions including Lanier Technical College and North Georgia Technical College, and state/federal resources with the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, WorkSource Georgia Mountains, and Georgia Mountains Works Partnership, the organizations are positioned to scale existing successful models and pilot new ones.
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www.workforcestrategiesgroup.com
Georgia Mountains Manufacturing Sector Strategy collaborates with stakeholders in the 13-county WorkSource Georgia Mountains (WSGM) region to align education and workforce training programs with the needs of manufacturing businesses. WSGM, under Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, administers the federal WIOA funds, which encourages sector strategies and partnerships. Workforce Strategies Group LLC manages the MFG Sector Strategy.