Community Corner

Alliance Benefits Disadvantaged in Cherokee

MUST Ministries and OSHA sign agreement to provide free education courses and put 75 percent of participants back to work in 90 days.

A collaborative alliance was signed Monday between the Education and Employment Department of  and the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Atlanta-West Area Office. It is only the second such partnership this office of OSHA has signed, adding to the significance.

The agreement launches with a 10-hour general safety course Oct. 24-26 and will relate to seasonal needs, such as warehousing and stocking. A construction safety course in February will prepare job seekers for spring and summer building work.

Andre Richards, OSHA’s area director, explained that students will learn about occupational safety and standards, and receive health and safety training, particularly by reducing and preventing exposure to prevalent hazards such as lifting, back injury, flammable liquids and blood borne pathogens.

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Potential workers will also benefit from understanding worker’s rights and the responsibilities of employers under the OSHA Act.

“These valuable tools will be complemented with soft skills to help potential workers integrate into the workplace,” said Beth Ray, MUST’s Education and Employment Manager for Cobb County. “The soft skills will include some important training in resume writing, job expectations, job readiness and interview skills."

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Ray said anger management, communications and goal setting will also be taught to develop stronger employees.

The OSHA-MUST training program will accept 15 students in each class, including some residents from MUST’s permanent supportive housing program. The classes will be taught by local businesses.

CW Matthews Contracting Co. and  are among the local employers getting involved with the new program to help build a stronger base of prospects for the workforce.

Graduates will receive a 10-hour safety card to present to prospective employers and a pair of steel-toed work shoes. Graduates will be tracked for six months to measure sustainability and the effectiveness of the training.

Anyone interested in this free training should complete an application at MUST Ministries and complete the Georgia Work Ready test online.


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