Workforce | Existing Manufacturers | Training

Labor Market

The Georgia Department of Labor maintains a State Employment Security Office in Griffin. Currently, the office has on file over 10,000 active applicants, of which more than 5,200 are within the age group of greatest ability (22-39).

Why is Griffin-Spalding home to such luminaries as Caterpillar and Hoshizaki, as well as garnering the interest of high-tech corporations? We know that training and education are key components of the success of any firm, be it manufacturing, technological or in the realm of research and development. Fortunately, our location is such that employers have easy access to Griffin Technical College, Georgia Tech, Clayton College and State University, Georgia State College, and so many other institutions…all within driving distance, and several of which perform training on site for qualified industries!

Labor Force

In November 2011, according to Georgia Department of Labor preliminary estimates, there were 430,828 people in the civilian labor force in the Spalding County Labor Drawing Area. 386,267 are employed and 44,561 unemployed with an unemployment rate of 10.3%. This compares with Georgia’s unemployment rate of 9.3% for the same month.

Spalding County manufacturers have received a good response when existing employees were asked to recommend people to apply for available jobs. They have found that they cannot adequately process and interview the large number of applicants who respond. Some plants have signs stating that applications are only taken on certain days of the week, or that applicants should apply at the Griffin office of the Georgia Department of Labor.

Major segments of the labor pool, in addition to currently unemployed workers with industrial experience, include recent high school and vocational school graduates, school dropouts and returnees from military service. In addition, potential job seekers include: workers now commuting out of Spalding County but wanting comparable employment near their homes, housewives who would work if suitable nearby jobs were available and workers who are employed in fast food restaurants, other service jobs or are otherwise currently under-employed for their skill level.

Civilian Labor Force Estimates
November 2011 (Preliminary)
Labor Drawing Area		Labor Force		Employed		Unemployed		Rate
SPALDING COUNTY		28,271		24,776		3,495		12.4%
Butts County		10,065		8.914		1,151		11.4%
Clayton County		132,625		117,359		15,266		11.5%
Coweta County		60,564		55,247		5,317		8.8%
Fayette County		50,875		46,736		4,139		8.1%
Henry County		97,315		87,014		10,301		10.6%
Lamar County		8,040		7,025		1,015		12.6%
Meriwether County		9,338		8,141		1,197		12.8%
Monroe County		13,908		12,765		1,143		8.2%
Pike County		7,968		7,186		782		9.8%
Upson County		11,638		10,310		1,328		11.4%
AREA TOTAL		430,828		386,267		44,561		10.3%
GEORGIA TOTAL		4,749,053		4,309,288		439,765		9.3%