September is Workforce Development Professionals Month.

The Highland County Commissioners have joined the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals in designating September as Workforce Development Professionals Month.

They would like to honor all those individuals in all the Workforce Development organizations and partnerships who play such a vital role in our local economy. To highlight a few of the recent accomplishments taking place in Highland County, the Commissioners and other members of the Highland County Reentry Coalition would like to commend committee members for completing the National Institute of Corrections Offender Workforce Development Specialist Partnership Training Program.

Re-entry Coalition Members LuAnn Winkle, Turning Point Applied Learning Center Executive Director and Rhonda Fannin, Highland County Re-entry Services director, were recognized for achieving nationally-recognized certification as Offender Workforce Development Specialists on June 29.

Their recognition will mark the successful completion of an intensive 160-hour course that combines classroom training with hands-on practicum activities. The training was provided by the U.S. Justice Department, and the course participants, selected through a competitive application process, had the opportunity to work in diverse settings with city, state and federal criminal justice agencies, community-based organizations and faith-based groups.

The Offender Workforce Development Specialist Training was developed by the National Institute of Corrections in partnership with the National Career Development Association.

The training provides participants with the professional skills needed to assist offenders with career planning, job placement, job retention and career advancement.

Local workforce development services are provided and enhanced through partnerships with our area One-Stops, Chambers of Commerce, Turning Point Applied Center and other regional educational and training providers.

John Joy serves as Dean of Workforce Development at Southern State Community College and shared that he has had the opportunity to be part of a committed group of workforce development professionals and other stakeholders facing one of the most difficult economic climates in recent history.

Many jobs in our area have been lost, and those that are available are going to require increasing skill levels.

Nearly two-thirds of all job openings between 2008 and 2018 will require education beyond high school, yet 90 million United States workers – about 60 percent of the current workforce – have low literacy, limited English or lack a credential past high school. Joy stated that Southern State Community College is committed to continuing to provide valuable resources to all area residents that will increase their skill levels, and consequently, their likelihood of obtaining rewarding employment.

Thank you, workforce development professionals, for assisting residents and employers with the training and skills required for success in the 21st century.