In 2006, Atlanta residents found success through the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency’s (AWDA) career development services, offered Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

AWDA programs prepare Atlanta’s current and future workforce for the ever-changing labor demands. In 2006, AWDA served over 66,000 customers. Hundreds of customers obtained employment through AWDA’s weekly job fairs, held every Tuesday. Other programs include GED and SAT preparation courses, resume-writing assistance, job-readiness skills workshops and the Next Step Youth Program.

In 2006, the Next Step Youth Program provided paid summer internships (675), certification training (96), and financial assistance for unmet college needs (726) to hundreds of Atlanta Public Schools (APS) seniors. The City of Atlanta Municipal Courts referred 207 students to AWDA as partners in the YES (Youth Empowerment Services) program. Of those students, 14 have completed the program and are enrolled in college.

Demetrius Morant, a participant in the YES program, is just one example of how AWDA helps residents turn their lives around. YES participants are youth and juvenile offenders between the ages of 12 – 24 who have been directed to the program as an alternate to sentencing and are provided the skills to positively redirect their lives.

When Demetrius first joined YES, he was 20 years old with a GED and considered an “at-risk” youth. He is now completing his second semester at Lincoln University in Missouri, is a member of several school associations and has a 3.5 GPA with dreams of becoming an anesthesiologist.

AWDA customer Adina Mitchell (center, red) was homeless
and jobless when she first arrived at AWDA. She has since gained
employment with support from AWDA’s job readiness programs.
She is pictured with (l-r) AWDA executive director, Deborah Lum,
and AWDA staff Dewey McClain and Charlotte Oliver.

AWDA helps customers attain certifications and find employment.
Pictured (l-r) Marlon Watson, Paula Minnifield, Ederick Green,
and Ed Smith (in back) each completed AWDA’s Industrial
Maintenance course. AWDA has since assisted them in gaining
entry-level electrical work with TDC Systems Integration.

Next Step YES Program participants Timothy Nickson,
Steven Williams and Demetrius Morant.