8 Ga. communities designated Work Ready

Gov. Sonny Perdue announced Monday that eight communities have been designated Certified Work Ready Communities.

The designation shows the county has a skilled work force and educational infrastructure to drive economic growth and prosperity.

In Middle Georgia, Houston, Dodge and Johnson counties earned the designation, along with Bulloch, Camden, Early, Troup and Worth counties.

Dodge County earned 875 Work Ready Certificates — 190 percent above its goal — and increased its public high school graduation rate from 79.9 percent to 88.8 percent.

Houston County earned 3,220 certificates, which was 171 percent above goal, and increased the graduation rate from 78.9 percent to 81 percent. Johnson County earned 351 certificates, which was 118 percent above goal, and increased graduation from 63.9 percent to 70.1 percent. Each county will receive a $10,000 grant for the effort.

For more information about the Work Ready Initiative, visit www.gaworkready.org.