[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6681422,"mediaKeyId","2270870-1781f8767c54ccfdf083be16255eae71","parentId",2270870,"title","Georgia businesses call for more technical-college training in e-commerce skills","audioSeconds",909,"startMs",2121000,"endMs",3030000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270870-1781f8767c54ccfdf083be16255eae71&start=2121&end=3030","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270870-1781f8767c54ccfdf083be16255eae71/thumbnail_2121000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6681422/Georgia/Georgia-businesses-call-for-more-technical-college-training-in-e-commerce-skills","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681422-6d3d5d0ad7c96c21eb266f85e780f092/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049978&Signature=f21G9HWkHh4KmxbNnfdFmx8AGVNtGbILtSgwv-AZXeMoVAV~RmZszXHq6MmhkpoUVo6NtT~O0SZq096Pzkt37dqQdHCUHdMlVukz3wDXKJxJWTS2RXrHOcVhhcQoYYWSH~zenm5-sO6l-yIyHyzA41yNNKo5mzAndGKijys6Egf0fFXAvRfEJArEZNDc~~mLz1sHJ-y1FiotFX3dmn6U4OhiWDx6WwAuHl4dbpXAJ6KZE3sFanMKwjLEtXUl5N0RfnkJYWxFpYCG793ZZovW65xkdtzZ13b8wjFDa03mlMMPp9imTQD6-zpwnBEjWrxa7vpWW-xMbstTEhMthD~u9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-02-12T13:49:33.097Z","article","Manufacturers and business consultants told the Small Business Development committee that the growth of online marketplaces has created a local skills gap that technical colleges and workforce programs should address.

A manufacturer based in Tucker, Georgia, described the shift from traditional retail to online marketplaces and the new demands that creates for small firms: \"When we sell at retail, we've gotta be able to tell the story in 3 seconds, 5 seconds... But as soon as we move to online, we've gotta be able to share that story through images, through video, through text,\" the speaker said.

The witness said that many technical colleges currently teach older digital-marketing skills such as basic search-engine optimization and email marketing, while online marketplaces require short-form copy, product photography, video, and marketplace-specific tools. The speaker recommended industry-specific training and said firms increasingly hire overseas contractors for marketplace work because local programs are not yet producing the needed skills.

Practical example: a member of the panel recommended Helium 10 (helium10.com) and its \"Freedom Ticket\" training as an existing online course that covers product selection, legalities, returns, advertising and marketplace operations. \"It's an 8-week course, and she did it in 3 weeks,\" the witness said of a staff member who completed the program.

Why it matters: Witnesses argued that building local training for online-product content, listing optimization and marketplace tools would create jobs, keep production and packaging local, and help Georgia manufacturers move to higher-value work that includes fulfillment, assembly and distribution.

Ending: Speakers asked lawmakers to encourage technical colleges and workforce partners to adopt marketplace-specific curricula and to support programs that connect online-sales training with manufacturing and distribution jobs in Georgia.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Small Business Development 02.12.25","oneSentenceSummary","Manufacturers and consultants told the committee that the shift to online marketplaces has created a local skills gap in product photography, short-form copy, SEO and marketplace management; speakers recommended technical-college partnerships and cited Helium 10's \"Freedom Ticket\" course as an existing example.","taxTitle","Small Business Development, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",17381,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6681427,"Engineers' licensing and workforce shortages flagged as constraint for Georgia small firms",209,1407000,1616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270870-1781f8767c54ccfdf083be16255eae71&start=1407&end=1616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270870-1781f8767c54ccfdf083be16255eae71/thumbnail_1407000.jpg","/articles/6681427/Georgia/Engineers-licensing-and-workforce-shortages-flagged-as-constraint-for-Georgia-small-firms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681427-1963d1b089685b3d0a4032439307076c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049978&Signature=n1mBfPNiuMAEXVAWW7SaYkeYRLMAqnXI9YIUWA4ckNlKxSSZrmxBa0RfuQOeN4q2K-UCywVdabs0l3Jk7T86F8U8U-ybUN2GTwGmAuoe8Ascxa676qEVTHK2PFilkkTJ3~pujdlCR2JZ~kDTGDuS34EPszPovpk3Q4FCxe2M-KLX9fu3D2Rzr7HE8Cc~AZX8uqtfqCsaAwvWRMf0BWJjK8Ac5Bmoe2R0y3iFEO5DPAnI417Oqlb2vKemIS4ayTSoveHfEPWv3S2cqn5HSHtRM4upX0EQWoYPdC5LjEe0ku8rnOY0~6tbkx-YI8zjTSK~HAnNAW3EWgKLH7ZGy3C2nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several witnesses told the Small Business Development committee that the shortage of registered professional engineers and the difficulty of obtaining licensure are constraining projects and hiring for small firms.

Daryl Rochester, owner of Rochester DCCM, said becoming a registered engineer and completing professional licensure is \"not an easy task,\" and that the resulting workforce shortage is among the industry's biggest challenges. \"Becoming a registered engineer is not an easy task... the registration piece is a very important part of the puzzle,\" Rochester said, urging lawmakers to consider measures that would ease bottlenecks in registration without compromising professional standards.

Gabe O'Covey, who identified himself as a registered engineer and a former planning commissioner, agreed that the process can deter candidates. \"We need to do something about not just training more engineers, but making it a little easier to get registered,\" he said.

Why it matters: Witnesses said projects require licensed professionals for design and sign-off; when registrants are scarce, firms must delay work or pay higher wages to compete for talent. Testimony linked licensure barriers to a narrower available talent pool and to slower project timelines.

Speakers suggested several responses, including outreach to technical colleges and professional societies to encourage the pipeline into licensure, review of administrative hurdles that lengthen registration, and targeted incentives to retain early-career engineers in-state. No formal committee action on specific regulatory changes was recorded in the transcript excerpt.

Ending: Witnesses urged lawmakers to balance professional safeguards with steps to increase the number of registered engineers available to Georgia firms.","Engineers, surveyors and business leaders told the committee that licensing barriers and an insufficient pipeline of registered professionals are making it hard for small firms to hire qualified staff and complete projects on schedule.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6681432,"Georgia small-business witnesses urge tort reform, say litigation and insurance costs are harming firms",1937,1128000,3065000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270870-1781f8767c54ccfdf083be16255eae71&start=1128&end=3065","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270870-1781f8767c54ccfdf083be16255eae71/thumbnail_1128000.jpg","/articles/6681432/Georgia/Georgia-small-business-witnesses-urge-tort-reform-say-litigation-and-insurance-costs-are-harming-firms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681432-3f15a8b0369083b36dcebbfe43790800/orig.mp4?Expires=1771049978&Signature=bjJ5cTyNxURvD5xNAUo5IV51-cPSN1MtaB95VbgEozOOmgVKI0cGIoQE3aBbcXSwTTnsCjj32zPBzqtz6vY3MnHQcY-Cx32Hl1vdum4oS9a0LMNnG~p~~Y7wHkTSi1fgW5OyU5US-zQyneA3M6M22GD0H4RYQnDQO2nVC8WdOKmbUSk9DH6q17TPVEHhm2Ojf3zdWffN2zxGBPxsfT9RJwAH9wnQ6DR4fxskGyiOeO6RfNdE6S04DRiybuUvAAzGnF~4GNf89vx3TZrVs3OAYXXrku6miAhKwSXkjHdrHl3f6o9tpa5l8l0fqP0f2r1iIXyQFKeHU06OO-aHZEWuTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Small-business owners and industry representatives told the Georgia Small Business Development committee that litigation and rising insurance costs are a major obstacle to growth and urged lawmakers to support the governor's tort reform initiative.

The testimony focused on how plaintiffs'side suits, third-party litigation funding and large jury awards can drag small firms into expensive legal fights even when investigations find no fault. \"We get dragged in as a consultant to the developer as a third party defendant,\" said Daryl Rochester, owner of Rochester DCCM, describing cases in which his civil engineering and land-surveying firm has been pulled into suits aimed at developers. Rochester said the company spent about $200,000 in legal fees and related labor over the past five years defending such claims.

Why it matters: Witnesses said the cost of defending against lawsuits and the threat of large settlements push up insurance premiums and can threaten small firms' viability. Several speakers connected those trends to the governor's proposed tort reform bill and asked lawmakers to act.

Rochester described a recent case in which the state Environmental Protection Division inspected a site and \"twice...came back and said that we find no fault on the developer or the development whatsoever,\" yet the matter nonetheless settled. He said his firm was on the hook for part of a roughly $1.3 million settlement and paid \"$57,000 of that...directly out of our pockets,\" with the remainder covered by insurance deductibles.

Brian Macon, president of Dorset Industries, a Dalton-based manufacturer, said the governor's proposal is \"a good beginning\" but should go further. \"We have a target on our backs, and they are shooting at us,\" Macon said, arguing for caps on punitive damages and limits that would make it harder for frivolous suits or litigation funding to drive settlements.

Lawmakers who questioned witnesses emphasized concerns about rising insurance costs. Representative Tarvin said fraudulent claims and the resulting market changes have increased costs for consumers and businesses alike and said tort reform \"may help that some.\" Several witnesses reported steep premium increases: Rochester said his property insurance rose about 45% in two years; other witnesses reported premium increases in the 20% range.

Speakers urged a range of responses, including limits on certain jury awards, tighter scrutiny of third-party litigation funding, and clearer rules around venue and damages. No formal vote or committee action on any bill was recorded in the transcript excerpt.

Ending: Witnesses told the committee they hope tort reform will reduce frivolous suits and lower insurance costs; at the same time, several lawmakers and commenters raised concerns about how caps or limits should be calibrated for severe or lifetime injuries.","Business owners and industry representatives told the Small Business Development committee that a litigious environment and rising insurance premiums are imposing large legal and operating costs on small firms and urged support for the governor's tort reform initiative.","actionData","errors"]

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Georgia businesses call for more technical-college training in e-commerce skills

Engineers' licensing and workforce shortages flagged as constraint for Georgia small firms

Georgia small-business witnesses urge tort reform, say litigation and insurance costs are harming firms