Gov. Brian Kemp will lead a regional workforce development initiative to be undertaken by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).
Kemp, the board's chairman, announced Thursday the formation of a commission charged with developing lists of high-demand career pathways, priority occupations, and the credentials that will be needed to pursue careers valued by local businesses and industries.
"With the South experiencing incredible economic and population growth, one of the biggest challenges we currently face is preparing the next generation of workers for success in the ever-evolving job market," Kemp said.
"By bringing together leaders from across industries in the South, we can better align our efforts to equip citizens with the right skills and knowledge to thrive in and beyond the classroom."
The Commission on Career Pathways and Credentials will be made up of members from each of the SREB's 16 states, including officials and staff from governor's offices and state agencies, K-12 school superintendents, principals, teachers, postsecondary deans and faculty members, and business leaders.
"The goal is to bring us all together behind the north star of aligning education with the needs of our workforce," SREB President Stephen Pruitt said. "This is complex work beyond the ability of K-12, higher education, adult education, or workforce agencies to do alone."
The nonprofit, nonpartisan SREB was created in 1948 and is headquartered in Atlanta.