As part of its economic development strategy, Invest Atlanta is building a robust talent pool ready to meet the needs of high-growth, future-focused industries. And, through its Middle Wage Job Economic Opportunity Fund, Invest Atlanta is incentivizing organizations to provide the training, upskilling and reskilling needed to help individuals secure these higher-wage jobs.

The Invest Atlanta Board approved $600,000 in grants to help Goodwill of North Georgia and Urban League of Greater Atlanta enrich their workforce training programs and create stronger pathways to quality, long-term employment, with each organization receiving $300,000 in funding.

Goodwill of North Georgia

Goodwill of North Georgia will help 150 Atlanta residents gain skills and experience through its GoodWorks Program, which provides paid work experience, individualized career coaching and job placement services to help individuals build critical skills and successfully enter the workforce. The program focuses on barrier reduction, hands-on occupational training and long-term career stability in pathways like phlebotomy, welding, forklift operations, commercial driving, supply-chain management and clean technology.

Urban League of Greater Atlanta

Urban League of Greater Atlanta will support the training and placement of 200 individuals through its Career Accelerator Pathway Program, which prepares Atlanta residents for middle-wage careers in high-demand industries by combining personalized career coaching, workforce readiness training, employer engagement and barrier reduction services. Through dual enrollment with the Atlanta Department of Labor & Employment Services WorkSource Atlanta Board, participants also have access to stackable credential training vouchers, labor market information, hiring events and additional workforce resources.