Data from the University of Georgia shows that 70% of all full-time employed Class of 2024 graduates accepted employment based in Georgia. The top 10 in-state destinations were Alpharetta, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Duluth, Gainesville, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Norcross, and Suwanee.
ApartmentAdvisor ranked Atlanta eighth out of 98 cities on its data-based 2024 Best Cities for College Grads list. The top reasons included:
- Atlanta ranked number 2 in the cost-of-living score, 7 in the highest median income, and 9 in the young adult population.
- The economy was the 11th largest of any US city with a population of at least 1 million.
- A bachelor of arts graduate earning the median income could expect to pay less than 25% of their income on rent.
- The bustling restaurants, music festivals, and nightlife fit diverse interests.
Atlanta Talent Hub
Jones Lang LaSalle, IP, Inc. ranked metro Atlanta seventh in its Talent Hubs Report 2024:
- The city produces, attracts, and retains high-caliber graduates, making it a prime location for business growth.
- Top schools include the Georgia Institute of Technology, Spelman College, Georgia State University, and Emory University.
- The metro Atlanta area retains 79% of its in-market students, contributing to the local talent pool.
Georgia Quick Start
Georgia Quick Start is the leading U.S. workforce development program:
- The program trained over 1.3 million workers.
- Each training program is designed to fill employers’ unique hiring needs.
- The training is an in-kind, discretionary incentive to eligible job-creating businesses in the state.
Employer benefits
- Georgia companies creating jobs or upgrading employee skills receive free, targeted training for higher productivity.
- Hands-on experience can be provided in classrooms, mobile labs, or on-site.
- Because the Technical College System of Georgia provides the training for free, all materials are proprietary to the company and can be used for future in-house training.
Georgia Advanced Manufacturing Center
One of the six specialized training centers delivers customized training on advanced manufacturing. Topics covered at the Georgia Advanced Manufacturing Center include mechatronics, control systems, automation and robots, software, equipment and operation controls, industrial technologies, and networked wireless systems of sensors. The training center will be networked with five of the state’s technical colleges in the region.
How Georgia Employers Can Find and Keep Talent
Georgia Chamber’s 2022 report Winning the War on Talent recommends implementing creative workforce solutions to find and keep talent:
- Access underutilized talent: Remove barriers to entry so groups such as veterans, refugees, people formerly incarcerated, and individuals with disabilities can access more diverse opportunities.
- Hire retirees: Encourage baby boomers to stay engaged in the workforce at least part-time after retiring.
- Offer career planning: Provide opportunities for high school and college students to pursue manufacturing apprenticeships and other career paths within the community.
- Provide training: Upskilling and reskilling aligned with business needs support professional growth and long-term retention.
- Partner with a staffing agency: Find qualified candidates seeking long-term employment.
Find Talent with Impact Staffing
Let Impact Staffing get to work finding qualified talent for your Georgia company. Contact us to discuss your staffing needs today.
