Fulton County, Georgia – WorkSource Fulton will be able to reach more people and expand its training programs thanks to the Strategic Alliances for Equity in the Workforce (SAEF) Grant. The award is the result of a partnership between the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), WorkSource DeKalb, and the City of Atlanta to break down long-standing barriers to workforce development and make job possibilities more open to everyone.
The SAEF Grant’s main goal is to help those who don’t have access to education, training, and good jobs. ARC is in charge of the grant, and the project brings together important people from the region to improve economic mobility and workforce readiness in Fulton County and the larger metro Atlanta area.
Lucius McRunnels, the Business Services Manager for WorkSource Fulton, said that this money is a big step forward for developing the local workforce.
“This grant affirms our shared vision to develop an inclusive and responsive workforce ecosystem across Fulton County,” says Lucius McRunnels, Business Services Manager, WorkSource Fulton.
“With this investment, we can help more residents access industry-recognized credentials, connect with high-demand careers, and help employers find the talent they need to grow.”
The grant money will be used to improve training programs and add expand business services support. WorkSource Fulton wants to better equip citizens for long-term jobs in developing fields while also solving labor shortages in important areas by making sure that workforce programs meet the demands of employers.
Planning for implementation has already started, and the program is slated to start rolling out in the last quarter of 2025. Efforts will include enhancing the support systems for trainees, using SAEF and current formula funding, and starting regional outreach initiatives to reach more job seekers and businesses. Contract documents are expected soon, but collaborative work among regional partners has already begun.
Samir Abdullahi, Director of Select Fulton, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative on the county’s economic future.
“This is a major win for the region and for Fulton County,” says Samir Abdullahi, Director, Select Fulton. “By leveraging regional partnerships and targeted investments like the SAEF Grant, we’re closing equity gaps, aligning workforce training with economic development, and helping communities be successful.”
The SAEF Grant is another step in Fulton County’s ongoing endeavor to make the workforce system stronger and equal. The goal is to provide everyone in the county a fair opportunity at success in the changing job market.
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