A new poll commissioned by National Skills Coalition also reveals widespread support from Georgia voters for elected officials that support skills training.
Washington, D.C. (September 9, 2024) – National Skills Coalition (NSC) unveiled today the results from a new poll, conducted by Impact Research, analyzing Georgia voters’ perspectives of jobs, skills training, and the economy. The poll reveals that skills training is an issue uniting Georgia voters, with 8 in 10 voters wanting policymakers to increase funding for skills training. Additionally, over two-thirds of voters (73%) are more likely to support elected officials who prioritize skills training.
“Skills training is an urgent issue that all voters across Georgia can agree on, regardless of their educational background or political leaning,” said Robert Espinoza, CEO of National Skills Coalition, a national, bipartisan policy organization that fights for inclusive, high-quality skills training so that more people have access to a better life, and more local businesses see sustained growth.
“People want good jobs that allow them to obtain financial security and thrive in their lives, and skills training plays a crucial role in making that possible.”
Skills training draws notably strong bipartisan support with a vast majority of Democrats (94%), Independents (81%), and Republicans (76%) in Georgia favoring increased state funding for skills training.
A majority of voters in the state (63%) perceive lack of access to skills training as a significant challenge facing workers in the current economy. Research shows skills training programs that are designed with input from employers in high-demand industries help workers be placed in jobs with higher wages, work more consistently, and be more likely to earn benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. Additionally, 87% of voters support making it easier for formerly incarcerated individuals to access skills training programs.
“While the majority of voters want more opportunities for skills training, too many workers in Georgia still face significant barriers to accessing these opportunities,” said Ray Khalfani, Senior Analyst for Worker Justice and Criminal Legal Systems at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. “We need solutions to ensure that all workers in our state have the chance to upskill, secure good jobs, and thrive—not just a select few. Despite overwhelming support from voters, justice-impacted individuals continue to be locked out of these programs.”
Almost the entirety of Georgia voters (95%) agree that access to skills training is a key characteristic of a good job. Additionally, over two-thirds of Georgia voters (69%) said they would be ready to take advantage of opportunities to engage in skills training if offered, with this number increasing to 77% for voters under 50 without a college degree.
As the majority of jobs in Georgia already require digital skills, rapidly changing technology was a top concern for voters, who see skills training as essential for adapting to this change. Over one-third of Georgia voters (39%) have already encountered artificial intelligence on the job and more than half (52%) believe that learning to work with AI will be important for their job in the future.
This new poll is part of the “Public Perspectives” national polling series from NSC, unveiled earlier this year, covering views from voters on the most pressing issues facing our nation.
Download the full research brief here.
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Contact:
Carlos Diaz Barriga
Managing Director of Communications and Narrative Change
carlosdb@nationalskillscoalition.org
