Mayor Andre Dickens Announces Plan to Establish Atlanta Department of Labor and Employment Services During Visit to Labor Training Center

Mayor's Office of Communications
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 2500 • Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Mayor Andre Dickens Announces Plan to Establish Atlanta Department of Labor and Employment Services During Visit to Labor Training Center

ATLANTA - Mayor Andre Dickens is doubling down on his commitment to developing Atlanta's workforce, announcing plans to establish a new City of Atlanta department dedicated to expanding resources for employment, customized training and fair labor practices. Mayor Dickens made the announcement while visiting Georgia Building Trades Academy's YouthBuild program in Atlanta.

"The strength of Atlanta is the strength of our people," Mayor Dickens said. "Atlanta is a city on the move, and we want to ensure that all-particularly Atlanta's young people-share in our growing prosperity. By delivering on our commitment to establish the Atlanta Department of Labor and Employment Services, we are sending a clear message that the City stands with and for workers and that we will continue to be the city of choice to start and grow businesses."

The Dickens Administration will propose legislation to establish the Atlanta Department of Labor and Employment Services in January, which would become active during the next fiscal year budget to take effect in July 2023. The Department will ultimately oversee the City's labor and innovation work, WorkSource Atlanta, youth employment services-including the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program and the Mayor's Youth Leadership Institute-and help coordinate work with the labor unions representing City employees.

The City will launch a search for an Executive Director of the Department this month, and Mayor Dickens also announced that Humeta Embry is assuming the role of Labor Liaison Officer for the City of Atlanta. Ms. Embry previously served as Executive Director for AFSCME Local 1644.

The Department will be funded through federal funding allocated to WorkSource, American Rescue Plan Act dollars and workforce development dollars set aside by the Gulch redevelopment deal.

The move to establish the Department of Labor and Employment Services builds on Mayor Dickens' earlier investments in local workforce development. In September, Mayor Dickens-in conjunction with Atlanta Technical College and Acuity Brands-announced significant investments in local workforce development and training. These investments include a $1.8 million bestowment to Atlanta Technical College's Center for Workforce Innovation as well as a $50,000 contribution - alongside a $150,000 commitment from Acuity Brands - for the creation of a workforce development pilot program.

The City also launched the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) with the goal of providing young people between the ages of 14 and 24 with opportunities to explore career interests and build work-related skills. In its first year, SYEP exceeded its goal. The program received more than 3,500 applicants, 99% of whom met all eligibility requirements and the hiring business' criteria with more than 3,000 young people being placed in paid employment and internship opportunities throughout Atlanta.

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For more information about the City of Atlanta, please visit www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26. Follow the City of Atlanta on Facebook and Twitter @CityofAtlanta.

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