'Be Proud Mobile Workshop' comes to three middle Georgia locations

MACON, Ga. -- The Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workshop has started and will be held over the next three weeks at three separate locations in middle Georgia.

The event works to connect students at local school districts with career options.

“The need for skilled workers has never been greater, says Tiffany Andrews, Director of Workforce Development with WorkSource Macon-Bibb. Prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic, all industry sectors were feeling a void in the workforce from people approaching retirement, and that has now been exacerbated by additional vacancies opening from more retirements and people switching jobs.”

WorkSource Macon-Bibb and WorkSource Middle Georgia partnered with the Cherokee Office of Economic Development to bring the workshop to middle Georgia.

The workshop has a 40-foot open-air trailer that has five interactive simulations of Georgia's most in-demand professions. This includes commercial truck driving, health care, plumbing, welding, and robotics.

“Students must graduate college or career ready, which means they must be prepared for post-secondary, military, or the workforce. Presently, the lack of skilled employees is a huge problem in Georgia with a shortage of 61,000 or more employees reported in 2019,” says Cassandra Miller-Washington, Bibb County School District Executive Director of CTAE and CEO of Hutchings College and Career Academy. “Bibb County CTAE has partnered with WorkSource Macon-Bibb to provide students with an opportunity to see skilled trade careers through virtual simulations.”

The first-week workshop location will be at the Macon Farmer's Market from September 21st to the 24th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

It will then be in Baldwin County from November 8-13, 2021, and Houston County from April 12-16, 2022.

.Students can “Join the Movement” at www.beprobeproudga.org, which connects students with education and career opportunities.