Why it Matters
Georgia has a labor participation rate of 61.4%, but rural Georgia lags behind with a rate of 56.7%.¹ This indicates the need for strategic initiatives to increase workforce engagement in rural areas, which should begin within the K-12 education system. Communities often encounter challenges with building work-based and experiential learning opportunities, yet these are integral to developing deeper awareness of career opportunities. Working together to close gaps in workforce preparedness opportunities and services is vital to best prepare Georgia’s students, regardless of ZIP code.

The Research

Developing rural Georgia’s talent pipeline begins early in a student’s academic career. Third grade reading proficiency is a key measure of literacy, with significant long-term implications. Students who fall behind at this stage are more likely to drop out of school, become incarcerated, and require social assistance programs throughout their lives. Currently, only 30% of rural Georgian students are at or above a third grade reading level. Educational attainment is an indicator of the proportion of skilled workers in the state. At present, 42% of Georgians 25 years old and older have an associate’s degree or higher, while only 29% of rural Georgians possess these credentials.² Many career pathways do not require a four-year degree but do require some type of post-secondary education. Georgia’s 22 technical colleges, many of which are rural communities, offer programs aligned with local career opportunities.

Access to childcare and early learning opportunities also influences life-long career success. While rural Georgia is home to 30% of the state’s Quality-Rated Pre-K programs, these programs can accommodate fewer children on average compared to those in other parts of the state. As a result, rural areas account for only 22% of the available Pre-K spots statewide. Additionally, rural areas have fewer Quality-Rated programs that accept infants compared to metro Atlanta, further limiting early childcare options for families, and creating an additional challenge for rural working parents.³ Access to high-quality, affordable programs removes one of the largest barriers to working parents, making it crucial in addressing participation gaps for rural parents.

Why it Matters to Your Business

Georgia ranks 42nd nationally in labor force participation rate growth over the past five years, indicating a lag at the national level.⁴ With even lower labor force participation rates in rural Georgia than at the state level, more support is needed to ensure the state can meet its growing workforce needs and mitigate talent shortages.

 What You Can Do

• Engage with your local school system to ensure they understand career opportunities your business offers to their students. Participate in college and career fairs.

• Connect with untapped talent, especially second chance hires, veterans, people with disabilities, and other often overlooked segments of the workforce.

• Advocate with lawmakers to support legislation that promotes access to affordable, high-quality childcare.  

What Georgia Can Do

• Invest in early literacy initiatives, including efforts supported by the Georgia Council on Literacy.

• Prioritize investments in experiential learning programs, work-based learning, and other college and career preparedness programs.

• Invest in college and career counselors to assist students in making more informed decisions about their long-term career opportunities.   

The Big Picture

Rural Georgia is benefitting from a significant number of business expansions and relocations. To fully capitalize on these opportunities, further investments are needed to bolster the skilled workforce talent pipeline in rural Georgia to prepare our students from our earliest learners to our graduates and beyond.