Skip to content
The Work-Ready Report
A Coastal Georgia Employer Insights Survey — approx. 5 minutes
1.
What industry or sector best describes your organization?
Healthcare / social services
Manufacturing / logistics / trades
Retail / hospitality / food service
Education / nonprofit / government
Finance / professional services
Technology / media
Other (please specify)
2.
When hiring young professionals (ages 18–25), how prepared are they for the workplace overall?
Significant investment required before they're functional
Noticeable gaps that slow productivity
Some coaching needed but manageable
Minor polish needed, mostly ready
Hit the ground running from day one
3.
Which THREE skills are most lacking in young professionals you hire or work with? (Select up to 3)
Work ethic (attendance, punctuality, accountability)
Communication (verbal, written, professional tone)
Teamwork and collaboration
Time management and reliability
Problem solving and critical thinking
Adaptability and resilience
Initiative and self-motivation
Other (please specify)
4.
What is the single biggest workplace readiness challenge you face with young hires?
They lack basic professionalism (dress, phone use, tone)
They struggle to work without constant supervision
They have poor attendance or punctuality
They have difficulty communicating with colleagues or customers
They are not resilient when facing challenges or feedback
Other (please specify)
5.
In your opinion, what are most young professionals unprepared for the workplace?
They were never taught basic professional expectations
They lack real world experience or exposure
They have not developed self-discipline or habits
Educational institutions focus on knowledge, not character
They have unrealistic expectations about work
Other (please specify)
6.
Would your organization be interested in partnering with or piloting this program?
Yes — we would love to be an early partner
Possibly — I'd like to learn more first
Not at this time
7.
How valuable would a 10-week workforce readiness program be to your organization or the institutions you partner with?
Would not move the needle for us
Nice to have but not a priority
Would address a real need we have
Would make a meaningful difference
Would want to be among the first to implement it
8.
Which program features would be most important to your organization? (Select up to 3)
A recognized certificate or digital badge for participants
Flexible delivery (in-person, online, and self-paced options)
Ability to train our own staff to deliver the program
Employer showcase or capstone event at program completion
Curriculum aligned to local industry needs
Reporting and outcome data for grant or compliance purposes
9.
Which setting do you see this program being most impactful? (Select all that apply)
High schools
Technical colleges (e.g., Savannah Technical College)
Universities (e.g., Savannah State, Georgia Southern)
Nonprofits and community organizations
Directly within employers as onboarding or pre-employment training
10.
May we follow up with you about the program or share results from this survey?
Yes — please contact me
No — keep my responses anonymous