Georgia – Employment & Job Training
Georgia Employment, Job Training & Reentry Support
A living directory of job search help, workforce training, and reentry employment programs in Georgia. Some listings focus directly on people returning from incarceration or living with a criminal record; others are general workforce services where you must confirm your eligibility and any supervision or background rules before enrolling.
Statewide & Remote Services
Coverage: programs serving multiple regions or the whole state, including online options.
✅ Verified Reentry-Focused Employment & Training
WorkSource Georgia – WIOA Employment & Training
Network of local workforce boards and career centers funded under WIOA. Offers assessments, job search help, resume support, and tuition assistance or training vouchers for eligible adults and dislocated workers. People with a record may qualify depending on the program.
Network of local workforce boards and career centers funded under WIOA. Offers assessments, job search help, resume support, and tuition assistance or training vouchers for eligible adults and dislocated workers. People with a record may qualify depending on the program.
Search “WorkSource Georgia services for individuals” for your local office.
Statewide / local centers
Goodwill of North Georgia – Career Centers & Training
Goodwill career centers and training programs providing job readiness classes, certifications, and placement help. Offers targeted services for “returning citizens” and other priority groups, with coaching to move into stable employment.
Goodwill career centers and training programs providing job readiness classes, certifications, and placement help. Offers targeted services for “returning citizens” and other priority groups, with coaching to move into stable employment.
Use the Goodwill of North Georgia website to find the nearest career center.
North Georgia & Metro Atlanta
🛠️ Eligible General Workforce & Job Search Support
Georgia Department of Labor – Career Centers
State career centers that help job seekers search job postings, explore careers, and access training information. Staff can connect you to local WorkSource Georgia offices and American Job Centers. Background requirements vary by employer, not by the GDOL itself.
State career centers that help job seekers search job postings, explore careers, and access training information. Staff can connect you to local WorkSource Georgia offices and American Job Centers. Background requirements vary by employer, not by the GDOL itself.
Use the “Find a Career Center” tool on the Georgia DOL site.
Statewide
American Job Centers (AJCs)
Federally funded one-stop centers where you can search for jobs, learn about training options, and get resume or interviewing help. Many Georgia AJCs are co-located with WorkSource or GDOL offices.
Federally funded one-stop centers where you can search for jobs, learn about training options, and get resume or interviewing help. Many Georgia AJCs are co-located with WorkSource or GDOL offices.
Search “American Job Center finder” with your ZIP code.
Multiple locations
Atlanta Metro
Counties: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton and nearby.
✅ Verified Reentry & Justice-Involved Employment Programs
Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) – Atlanta
Employment program dedicated to people coming home from prison or jail. Offers paid transitional work crews, job-readiness classes, coaching, and help moving into permanent jobs with partner employers in metro Atlanta.
Employment program dedicated to people coming home from prison or jail. Offers paid transitional work crews, job-readiness classes, coaching, and help moving into permanent jobs with partner employers in metro Atlanta.
Search “CEO Works Atlanta” for referral details and eligibility.
Metro Atlanta
Georgia Works! – Residential Work & Training Program
Long-term residential program in downtown Atlanta serving men facing homelessness and unemployment, many with criminal histories. Combines sobriety requirements, life-skills classes, and job placement support aimed at full-time work and permanent housing.
Long-term residential program in downtown Atlanta serving men facing homelessness and unemployment, many with criminal histories. Combines sobriety requirements, life-skills classes, and job placement support aimed at full-time work and permanent housing.
Program is structured and competitive; review rules carefully before applying.
Atlanta
“Walking the Last Mile” Reentry Employment Program
Georgia Department of Labor initiative focused on people leaving state prisons in metro Atlanta. Provides job-readiness workshops, resume help, mock interviews, and direct connections to hiring employers in specific industries.
Georgia Department of Labor initiative focused on people leaving state prisons in metro Atlanta. Provides job-readiness workshops, resume help, mock interviews, and direct connections to hiring employers in specific industries.
Ask your counselor or reentry coordinator if you are eligible for WTLM services.
Metro Atlanta (DOL / GDC partnership)
WorkSource Atlanta – Career & Training Services
Local WorkSource office providing assessments, short-term training scholarships, and job placement help. Recent federal grants have focused on unsheltered residents and reentry populations in high-demand fields like logistics and construction.
Local WorkSource office providing assessments, short-term training scholarships, and job placement help. Recent federal grants have focused on unsheltered residents and reentry populations in high-demand fields like logistics and construction.
Contact WorkSource Atlanta about orientation dates and required documents.
Atlanta
🛠️ Eligible General Workforce & Employer Networks
United Way of Greater Atlanta / 211 – Employment Resources
211 helpline and online directory listing job readiness classes, computer labs, and community agencies that help with resumes, soft skills, and employer introductions. Some sites are comfortable working with people on probation or parole.
211 helpline and online directory listing job readiness classes, computer labs, and community agencies that help with resumes, soft skills, and employer introductions. Some sites are comfortable working with people on probation or parole.
Search 211 for “employment assistance” or “job readiness” in your county.
Greater Atlanta
Georgia Justice Project – Employment & Reentry Support
Nonprofit combining legal advocacy with reentry support. Works with employers, offers record-reform help, and connects clients to training and employment opportunities as part of broader case management.
Nonprofit combining legal advocacy with reentry support. Works with employers, offers record-reform help, and connects clients to training and employment opportunities as part of broader case management.
Ask about current employment-focused classes or cohorts when you contact GJP.
Atlanta
Goodwill Career Centers – Metro Atlanta
Multiple Goodwill locations around Atlanta providing job fairs, interview practice, and industry-specific training. Many employers they partner with are open to second-chance hiring, especially after you complete a Goodwill training track.
Multiple Goodwill locations around Atlanta providing job fairs, interview practice, and industry-specific training. Many employers they partner with are open to second-chance hiring, especially after you complete a Goodwill training track.
Use the Goodwill site to pick a center reachable by bus or MARTA.
Atlanta Metro
Central Georgia / Macon
Counties: Bibb, Houston, Peach, Monroe and nearby.
✅ Verified WorkSource & Reentry-Linked Services
WorkSource Central Georgia – Career & Training Services
Regional WorkSource office offering assessments, job search help, and training funds for eligible adults and dislocated workers. Some training slots are open to people on supervision depending on the occupation and background checks.
Regional WorkSource office offering assessments, job search help, and training funds for eligible adults and dislocated workers. Some training slots are open to people on supervision depending on the occupation and background checks.
Ask about WIOA Adult services and required paperwork when you enroll.
Macon & surrounding counties
DCS Community Coordinators – Local Employer Connections
Georgia Department of Community Supervision staff who maintain local lists of second-chance employers, training providers, and sober-living programs. They often know which companies regularly hire people on probation or parole.
Georgia Department of Community Supervision staff who maintain local lists of second-chance employers, training providers, and sober-living programs. They often know which companies regularly hire people on probation or parole.
Ask your probation/parole officer for an introduction to the community coordinator.
Central Georgia
🛠️ Eligible Colleges, Training Providers & Job Fairs
Technical Colleges & Workforce Divisions
Technical colleges in Macon and nearby communities run short-term workforce certificates in areas like welding, CDL, and healthcare. Many students are adults changing careers, including some with records, but certain licenses or clinical placements may be restricted.
Technical colleges in Macon and nearby communities run short-term workforce certificates in areas like welding, CDL, and healthcare. Many students are adults changing careers, including some with records, but certain licenses or clinical placements may be restricted.
Discuss background requirements with the admissions or workforce advisor before enrolling.
Central Georgia campuses
Augusta & Central Savannah River Area (CSRA)
Counties: Richmond, Columbia, Burke and nearby.
✅ Verified WorkSource & Career Centers
WorkSource East Central Georgia – Career Services
Regional WorkSource office serving Augusta-area counties with job readiness workshops, occupational training, and employer connections in local industries. People with criminal records may be served depending on the training track and background checks.
Regional WorkSource office serving Augusta-area counties with job readiness workshops, occupational training, and employer connections in local industries. People with criminal records may be served depending on the training track and background checks.
Attend an information session to see which training programs fit your situation.
Augusta & CSRA
🛠️ Eligible Local Employers & Workforce Partners
United Way / 211 – Employment & Training Listings
CSRA 211 directory pointing to job clubs, staffing agencies, and nonprofit training programs. Some churches and ministries also help with resume building and job leads for people with justice involvement.
CSRA 211 directory pointing to job clubs, staffing agencies, and nonprofit training programs. Some churches and ministries also help with resume building and job leads for people with justice involvement.
Search 211 for “employment assistance” and call programs about their record policies.
Augusta & neighbors
Savannah & Coastal Georgia
Counties: Chatham, Glynn, Liberty and surrounding coastal counties.
✅ Verified WorkSource & Training Programs
WorkSource Coastal – Adult & Dislocated Worker Services
Provides assessments, job readiness workshops, and scholarship funds for training in local in-demand occupations. Services include individualized job leads and access to job-search tools for eligible adults.
Provides assessments, job readiness workshops, and scholarship funds for training in local in-demand occupations. Services include individualized job leads and access to job-search tools for eligible adults.
Ask WorkSource Coastal staff which training programs accept people with records.
Savannah & Coastal Georgia
🛠️ Eligible Coastal Employers & Support Agencies
Coastal 211 & Local Nonprofits
211 and local United Way listings for job readiness classes, hospitality training, warehouse work, and other opportunities. Some employers are open to second-chance hiring after a background review.
211 and local United Way listings for job readiness classes, hospitality training, warehouse work, and other opportunities. Some employers are open to second-chance hiring after a background review.
Use 211 search filters for employment and training; confirm policies for people on supervision.
Coastal Georgia
Columbus & West Georgia
Counties: Muscogee, Harris, Troup and nearby.
✅ Verified WorkSource & Reentry Connections
WorkSource Chattahoochee Valley – Career Services
Regional workforce office for the Columbus area offering job search support, training vouchers, and employer outreach in manufacturing, logistics, and other local industries. Staff can advise how a criminal record may impact specific opportunities.
Regional workforce office for the Columbus area offering job search support, training vouchers, and employer outreach in manufacturing, logistics, and other local industries. Staff can advise how a criminal record may impact specific opportunities.
Attend orientation and be honest about your record so they can match you appropriately.
Columbus & region
🛠️ Eligible Local Employers & County Programs
City & County Public Works / Parks Departments
In some West Georgia counties, probation or municipal courts place people on supervised work crews with sanitation, parks, or road departments. These crews sometimes lead to references or entry-level city jobs for strong performers.
In some West Georgia counties, probation or municipal courts place people on supervised work crews with sanitation, parks, or road departments. These crews sometimes lead to references or entry-level city jobs for strong performers.
Ask your officer or court clerk whether any work-detail programs exist in your county.
Columbus & West Georgia
North Georgia / Appalachian
Examples: Whitfield, Walker, Hall and surrounding counties.
✅ Verified Regional WorkSource & Workforce Boards
WorkSource Northwest Georgia / WorkSource Georgia Mountains
Workforce boards covering Dalton, Rome, Gainesville and nearby communities. Provide job-search resources, short-term training funds, and connections to local employers in manufacturing, logistics, and trades.
Workforce boards covering Dalton, Rome, Gainesville and nearby communities. Provide job-search resources, short-term training funds, and connections to local employers in manufacturing, logistics, and trades.
Check each region’s website for orientation dates and training lists.
North Georgia
🛠️ Eligible Employers & Volunteer-to-Work Pipelines
Goodwill Career Centers & Local Staffing Agencies
Goodwill centers and private staffing agencies in North Georgia often recruit for warehouses, textiles, and light manufacturing. Some employers are willing to train and hire people with certain types of felonies after a clean period.
Goodwill centers and private staffing agencies in North Georgia often recruit for warehouses, textiles, and light manufacturing. Some employers are willing to train and hire people with certain types of felonies after a clean period.
Ask each recruiter directly how your charges affect placement options.
North Georgia counties
South Georgia
Examples: Dougherty (Albany), Lowndes (Valdosta), Tift and surrounding counties.
✅ Verified WorkSource & Reentry Partnerships
WorkSource Southwest / South Georgia – Career Services
Regional WorkSource offices offering job-readiness workshops, tuition help for short-term training, and connections to local employers in agriculture, logistics, and healthcare. People with records are considered case by case.
Regional WorkSource offices offering job-readiness workshops, tuition help for short-term training, and connections to local employers in agriculture, logistics, and healthcare. People with records are considered case by case.
Mention any supervision or travel limits when you create your employment plan.
Albany, Valdosta & region
🛠️ Eligible Faith-Based & Community Employers
Faith-Based Ministries & Community Employers
Churches, small businesses, and local nonprofits in South Georgia sometimes partner with reentry initiatives to offer transitional work, mentoring, or on-the-job training, especially in trades and small manufacturing.
Churches, small businesses, and local nonprofits in South Georgia sometimes partner with reentry initiatives to offer transitional work, mentoring, or on-the-job training, especially in trades and small manufacturing.
Ask your officer or reentry navigator about companies known to hire second-chancers.
South Georgia counties
Before you apply or accept a job: Background rules differ between employers, licenses, and supervision types. Always:
- Tell your supervising officer where you plan to work and confirm any travel, schedule, or industry limits.
- Ask the program or employer directly how they handle criminal records and whether your charges are allowed.
- Keep copies of offer letters, schedules, and pay stubs for your supervision file.
OACRA is not an employer or government agency: We do not guarantee jobs, approve employment plans, or clear background checks. We share information so you can ask better questions and coordinate with your supervision team.
Get listed or updated: Are you a Georgia employer, workforce program, or training provider that actively supports justice-involved job seekers? Email contact@oacra.app with your details so we can review your listing.
