Georgia Work Ready

Georgia Work Ready Logo

Please note that the Work Ready/WorkKeys assessments now require copies of specific documentation or a fee in some cases (see details below).  Click here to register for the Work Ready assessments.

What is the Georgia Work Ready Program?

Work Ready is a workforce and economic development program consisting of the following:

  • Work Ready certificates and skills training for individuals
  • Job profiles for businesses and industries, and
  • Certifications for communities and regions to promote economic development. 

Assessments and job profiles are offered through Wiregrass Georgia Technical College using the nationally recognized ACT WorkKeys System. Georgia Work Ready Certificates are aligned with ACT’s National Career Readiness Certificate, making the credential valid in all states.

You can jump to specific information by clicking on a topic below:

Information about Work Ready Certificates and Training


How do individuals earn a Work Ready Certificate?

The Work Ready certificate requires that a person score certain minimal levels on three WorkKeys assessments designed to measure workplace skills: Reading for Information, Locating Information, and Applied Mathematics. These skills are required of virtually all jobs at various levels. Sample questions can be viewed here.

How much do the assessments cost and what do I need to bring?

The Work Ready assessments are available at no charge to the following:

  1. Georgia residents who have been unemployed at some point within the 12 months prior to testing (not necessarily currently unemployed) and have a separation letter/notice or payment record from Georgia Department of Labor for unemployment compensation dated within that period
  2. Georgia residents with documentation of TANF benefits indicating unemployment at some point within the 12 months prior to testing
  3. Individuals who have a job code from an open job listed on www.workreadyconnect.org. Residents of other states may take the assessments at no charge to obtain a job in Georgia if that job is listed on this site.

The documentation must be provided to the test proctor prior to beginning the assessments. For those without this documentation, the assessments are currently available for a fee. Retests are also available for a fee. The fee can be paid at the bookstore on any Wiregrass Tech campus and a receipt must be provided to the test proctor prior to beginning the assessments. Please also bring a picture ID.

To take the WIA-funded Work Ready assessments, whether at no charge or for a fee, individuals must also provide proof of citizenship, employment eligibility, and Selective Service registration or exemption. Click here for a list of documents that can be provided.

When can I take the assessments and can I practice first?

Assessments can be scheduled by clicking here or by contacting us at (229) 333-2121 or workready@wiregrass.edu.

For those who want to practice their skills before taking the assessments, self-paced online pre-tests and training are also available at no charge using the KeyTrain curriculum. Contact us for more information.

What do the certificate levels mean?

The certificate level is based on the skill levels demonstrated on the assessments.

  • A platinum certificate indicates skill levels of 6 or higher and shows that a person can be trained to do 99% of the jobs profiled in the ACT database.
  • A gold certificate indicates skill levels of 5 or higher and shows that a person can be trained to do 95% of the jobs profiled in the ACT database.
  • A silver certificate indicates skill levels of 4 or higher and shows that a person can be trained to do 65% of the jobs profiled in the ACT database.
  • A bronze certificate indicates skill levels of 3 or higher and shows that a person can be trained to do 35% of the jobs profiled in the ACT database.

To see a list of typical skill levels needed for particular jobs, click here.

Is there any training to improve the level of the certificate?

To earn a higher level certificate, self-paced online training using KeyTrain is available at no charge by contacting us at (229) 333-2121 or workready@wiregrass.edu.

What are the benefits to employees and job seekers?

The Work Ready Certificate helps people better market themselves for a promotion or another job by showing that they have the skills needed for a particular job. Jobseekers can also register at www.workreadyconnect.org to apply for jobs with some of the businesses which recognize Work Ready certificates. There is no charge for using this site.

Information about Work Ready for Employers

What are the benefits of Work Ready Certificates to employers? 

Benefits to employers who use the certificates and job profiles include reduced overtime, turnover, and training time; increased productivity with employees whose skills better match the job’s requirements; and, fewer legal challenges on hiring and promotion decisions because the WorkKeys job profiling system is in compliance with the Uniform Guidelines. 

Employers can also search for Certified Work Ready jobseekers at www.workreadyconnect.org, a service offered at no charge. For more information, contact us at (229) 333-2121 or workready@wiregrass.edu.

Information about Communities and Regions

What is a Certified Work Ready Community and what are the benefits?

By meeting certain criteria such as certifying members of the community and increasing high school graduation rates, a county can become a Certified Work Ready Community (CWRC).  This assures existing and potential businesses and industries that we have skilled and educated people in our community to meet their workforce needs, thereby helping with the economic development of an area.

The following counties are Certified Work Ready Communities in the Wiregrass Georgia Technical College service area: Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, and Wilcox. With an additional increase in the high school graduation rate, Irwin County will also be recognized as a certified community.

What is a Certified Work Ready Region and what are the benefits?

A Work Ready Region consists of a group of CWRCs, career pathways to support a particular strategic industry, and an industry network of employers. Regions expand beyond the Wiregrass Georgia Technical College service area and the college has two Work Ready regions:

  • Bioscience Technology Circle of South Georgia – Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift, and Worth Counties with a strategic industry of Bioscience
  • Wiregrass Work Ready Region – Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Coffee, Irwin, Jeff Davis, and Wilcox Counties with a strategic industry of Advanced Manufacturing

Each region received $600,000 from the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development to support their plans to promote workforce and economic development efforts in their strategic industries.

Additional Information

For more information, call (229) 333-2121 or email workready@wiregrass.edu.

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Contact us for Work Ready Services

Dr. Penelope Schmidt
Director of Workforce Development
Department of Special Services and Projects
Phone: (229) 333-2121
Fax: (229) 259-5540
penelope.schmidt@wiregrass.edu

Dalphne Horton
Administrative Assistant
Department of Special Services and Projects
Phone: (229) 333-2121
Fax: (229) 259-5540
dalphne.horton@wiregrass.edu

Office Location:
Valdosta Campus
Brooks Hall, Room 512
4089 Val Tech Road
Valdosta, GA 31602

Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday
7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
7:30 a.m. – 12:00 Friday