Taskforce outlines worker‑rights training, short‑term upskilling and a jobs dashboard

The Clarke County Business Development and Workforce Taskforce on May 20 heard subcommittee proposals to boost worker empowerment and connect residents to higher‑paying jobs. Staff member Kenshundria Bailey‑Allen summarized goals including expanded worker‑rights training for youth and adults, short‑term sector training, employer‑aligned curricula and a jobs dashboard to match job seekers with openings.

The Worker Empowerment Sub‑Committee proposed partnering with a provider identified as EJC to deliver instruction on wage theft, discrimination, sexual harassment, the Fair Labor Standards Act, FMLA and the distinction between contractors and employees. The subcommittee recommended both youth‑focused and adult programs offered multiple times per year, incentives for attendance, and evaluation metrics such as pre/post knowledge tests, attendance counts and train‑the‑trainer outcomes.

The High‑Wage Employment Sub‑Committee recommended using short‑term training to upskill workers for in‑demand positions linked to the ACC Economic Development targeted sectors. Proposed supports included coordination with employers on training objectives, transportation vouchers for participants, end‑of‑program hiring events, and outreach to K–12 students (including Clarke County School District and Athens Community Career Academy) to promote career pathways. The subcommittee also proposed developing a platform or dashboard to connect local job seekers with openings; performance measures suggested were number of dashboard users and jobs filled through the platform.

Kenshundria Bailey‑Allen reminded subcommittees to complete a recommendations template before the June 10 full taskforce meeting so proposals can be consolidated for prioritization. The taskforce set a timeline that includes a report due June 26 and subsequent Mayor & Commission consideration this summer.