Workforce development program serves those in need
The Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Workforce Development program had a busy fiscal year in Georgia for 2019.
The agency, based in Rome, serves residents of 15 counties including Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker and Whitfield.
The Rapid Response Dislocation program served almost 900 residents who were impacted by layoffs or closures during the period from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.
The two largest response efforts provided aid to 260 workers who were impacted by the closure of Shaw Industries Plant 84 in Murray County which disrupted 260 employees lives and the closure of a Mohawk facility in Chattooga County that impacted 220 employees.
One other facility a Mattex USA plant in Murray County also experienced a major layoff that impacted 140 employees.
At the low end of spectrum, the agency aided 24 employees affected by the closure of Fred’s stores in Polk, Gordon and Walker counties as well as 12 employees of Goody’s in Gordon County who were also affected by a closure.
In total, 1,522 residents of the 15-county region, including 313 in Floyd County, received services from the program.
One of the primary functions of the Workforce Development program is to provide opportunities for retraining of workers who have lost jobs through no fault of their own.
DNR offers Hunt and Learn programs
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is offering special instruction for outdoor enthusiast who would like to learn more about hunting.
The Georgia Hunt and Learn program offers instruction related to just about all game species from deer and turkey to quail, duck an dove, even squirrel hunting.
The Hunt and Learn program is geared specifically toward those who have little if any experience with a weapon but a lot of interest in the activity. The program offers one to three-day clinics that teach principles about conservation and basic hunting techniques, along with the opportunity to hunt a specific game critter.
Participants will receive instruction in tactics, game identification, and hunter safety from experts. Youth between the ages of 12 and 17, and adult have programs available.
All interested hunters are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to applicants with limited or no hunting experience..
To apply for the program go to georgiawildlife.com/ LearntoHuntFish and fill out an online application.
Applicants who are chosen to participate will be notified via email with a selection letter that provides additional details and payment information.
Some Hunt and Learns require you to take a “101 Course” first, but they also are open for anyone. These courses contain educational and live-fire instruction that focus on a specific game animal. The educational component will consist of game identification, regulations, habitat and hunting tactics for the specific game animal. The live-fire component will cover basic firearm safety, effective shot placement and proper firearm selection for the specific game animal.
Berry professor featured in podcast
Berry College associate professor of geology Tami J. Jovanelly is now featured in the Tough Girl podcast series.
“The purpose of the Tough Girl Podcast is to motivate and inspire women in adventures,” Jovanelly said. “It is broadcast in 126 countries and has nearly one million downloads.”
There is no charge for the download.
In her segment, Jovanelly talks about how a youngster from the Detroit area who grew up living next to a landfill developed a passion for geology, continued her schooling to receive her Ph.D. And is now doing research related to water quality issues across many of the worlds great river basins including the Nile, Amazon, Mississippi and Ganges.
The podcast is available online at traffic.libsyn.com/ toughgirlchallenges/217_ Tamie_Jovanelly.mp3.