Funding Supports New Program to Train Non-Violent Offenders for Manufacturing Careers
The Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP), a program of the Enterprise Innovation Institute at Georgia Tech, received a $50,000 Scaling What Works Grant from BlueForge Alliance. The funding will support Project Purpose — Justice-Impacted to Manufacturing Pathway, a new program that prepares non-violent offenders for positions in manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing.
The program expands on the success of Project Purpose, a collaborative effort that trains graduating high school seniors for similar high-demand jobs in Northwest Georgia. Since 2021, Project Purpose has connected hundreds of students with employers, resulting in promising careers for young adults.
“We have and will continue to have a significant need for skilled manufacturing employees, particularly in Northwest Georgia,” said GaMEP Director Tim Israel. “Expanding Project Purpose to include returning citizens will create new employment pathways and help local industries fill critical roles.”
In early 2024, manufacturers posted nearly 2,000 unique jobs while nearly 17,000 non-violent offenders remained incarcerated in local and state prisons in Northwest Georgia, according to Lightcast, a labor market analytics firm, and the Georgia Department of Corrections. Recognizing this gap, GaMEP Northwest Georgia Region Manager and iWORKS Northwest Georgia Co-Chairman John Zegers saw an opportunity to benefit both employers and individuals experiencing incarceration. Leveraging his connections and experiences, Zegers initiated the first training in Polk County in partnership with Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Development Authority of Polk County, Hope Home, and iWORKS Northwest Georgia.
A natural partner for the pilot training, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, under the leadership of Sheriff Johnny Moats, launched a successful re-entry program in 2023. The Polk Re-Entry Program (PREP) focuses on personalized pathways based on self-identified needs. It uses a strength-based approach to addictive and criminal behaviors that identifies and addresses barriers when returning to the community. The program has provided more than 12,000 services, enhancing community and officer safety, lowering the tax burden on citizens, and reducing recidivism.
“They get to be the lead role in their own life story, we are just here in a supporting role,” said Polk County Sheriff’s Office Offender Services Coordinator Lydia Goodson. “When given the opportunity to have a say and put in the work for their desired outcome, we see that individuals are more excited, vested and valued in the program.”
Hope Home, a volunteer-led initiative through the Second Baptist Church of Cedartown, has partnered with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on a Hope for Returning Citizens program, which offers shelter, transportation and additional services for returning citizens. The program will continue to offer those services, as well as help supply technology for the training.
Beginning in the spring of 2025, the multi-week curriculum will provide virtual learning followed by in-person training with GaMEP experts. The training will include fundamental manufacturing topics, such as applied mathematics, continuous improvement/lean, quality, robotics, safety and more. Participants who complete each topic and pass the exam will receive a certificate. Those who finish the program and pass the final exam will earn a Certified Manufacturing Associate certificate. Participants will also engage with local manufacturers and receive assistance with building their employment files while manufacturers will receive expert guidance on hiring and working with second-chance workers.
“We’re not only helping individuals transform their lives, but we’re also strengthening communities and supporting manufacturers by building a sustainable workforce pipeline,” said Zegers. “When individuals experiencing incarceration re-enter the workforce with connections, credentials and skills, they’re far more likely to succeed and less likely to re-offend.”
After the pilot training in Polk County, GaMEP and iWORKS Northwest Georgia plan to expand the program to several additional counties, continuing to engage local manufacturers and train incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals for essential manufacturing, transportation and warehousing positions.
For more information or questions about Project Purpose — Justice-Impacted to Manufacturing Pathway, including how to become involved, email GaMEP Northwest Georgia Region Manager John Zegers at john.zegers@innovate.gatech.edu.
