Since January, the GeorgiaBEST (Business Ethics Student Training) pilot program has operated at 20 schools in 12 Georgia counties. A total of 1,602 students participated in the program. Of those, 1,003 students completed the program and will receive certificates – a 62-percent pass rate.

At Fannin County High School, 126 students entered the program and 97 received their certificates – a 76-percent pass rate. In Fannin County, GeorgiaBEST students had to create a portfolio of their work. Many have already secured jobs because of the program.

Because of the success, Fannin County High School has been recognized as having the “model” program. A video crew will be here on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012 from 7:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“This is a very stringent program,” said Commissioner Butler. “Not every student receives a certificate. This shows that the teachers are taking this course seriously and that these skills are desperately needed.”

Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) officials have worked with businesses and chambers of commerce to highlight what a GeorgiaBEST certificate means and how giving interviews to GeorgiaBEST applicants will help their companies.

“When Georgia employers are ready to hire new graduates, one of the most common obstacles is that the younger pool of applicants lacks the soft skills necessary to perform in today’s work environment,” Commissioner Butler said. “By partnering with schools and employers, we have helped them become ready to apply for a job, to interview for a job and to retain a job. As this program grows, we hope that a GeorgiaBEST certificate will help guarantee that a young applicant gets an interview.”

This fall, the program will expand to as many as 10 other school districts across the state.

“The GeorgiaBEST program’s certification in soft skills, in coordination with House Bill 186 that passed the General Assembly last year, helps complement the current assessment system utilized in Georgia to measure a potential employee’s level of work readiness,” said Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge. “I applaud the Department of Labor for developing this program and for piloting it in several schools across the state, including Fannin County, to ensure students are career and college ready.”

Over a high school grading period, students who participate in the GeorgiaBEST program are evaluated by their teachers – not unlike job performance reviews – on several criteria including self discipline, punctuality, communications and effective time management. When the students master the skill sets, they are given certificates designating them “GeorgiaBEST.” The evaluation system helps employers find young workers ready for the job, helps students gain critical skills and helps the state enhance its workforce.

Teachers give participating students “points” over a grading period. If the student receives 25 of 30 possible points, he or she receives a GeorgiaBEST certificate. The evaluations are modeled after the business world and, in order to succeed, a student must perform daily. The GeorgiaBEST program includes mock interviews, guest speakers from the business community and extra-curricular assignments, such as community service or job shadowing.

It costs nothing for businesses to partner with the GeorgiaBEST program. GeorgiaBEST asks only that the businesses guarantee interviews to students who complete the program. Interested Georgia businesses owners can contact the Georgia Department of Labor for more information at (404)232-7343.

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