Georgia Quick Start Workforce Training
Technical College System of Georgia
Free (state-funded)
Georgia trains your new hires for free
Georgia Quick Start is a free customized workforce training program for qualifying businesses creating new jobs in Georgia. The state designs and delivers training at no cost to the employer — from needs assessment and curriculum development to instructor delivery. Widely cited as one of the most effective economic development tools in the US, Quick Start has served 6,000+ companies and trained over 700,000 workers since 1967.
- Funding type
- Program
- Level
- State
- Amount
- Free customized training services — state absorbs 100% of design, curriculum, and delivery costs. No cash grant; value is in-kind training services.
- Realistic amount
- Training value typically ranges $50,000–$500,000+ depending on trainee count and project complexity. Delivered as in-kin…
- Deadline
- Rolling — contact Quick Start during site selection or early facility planning phase.
- Status
- active
- States
- GA
- Payment model
- subsidized services
Who qualifies
- Company must be creating new jobs in Georgia (expansion of existing GA operations or new facility locating in Georgia)
- New jobs must pay at or above the county average wage (threshold varies by county)
- Training must be for newly hired Georgia employees, not incumbent workers in existing positions
- Company must be in a qualifying industry — manufacturing, processing, distribution, technology, tourism/hospitality, and certain service industries qualify
- Coordination must begin before new employees are hired — Quick Start is not a retroactive training reimbursement
- Training scope and job count are negotiated with Quick Start project managers during economic development discussions
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Training needs assessment and job task analysis
- Curriculum design and e-learning development
- Instructor fees and training delivery
- Interactive simulations and training materials
- Equipment operation training (production, maintenance, safety integration)
Ineligible expenses
- Training for existing employees not in newly created positions
- Cash reimbursement to employer (Quick Start is in-kind services only)
- Generic off-the-shelf training not customized to the employer
- Companies not creating net new jobs in Georgia
- Training for pre-employment candidates not tied to a job offer
How to apply
-
1
Engage Quick Start during site selection
Contact Quick Start (or be connected via Georgia Department of Economic Development) during your facility planning process. Quick Start works alongside GDEcD in competitive site selection — services are part of Georgia's incentive package.
~2 hrs
-
2
Training needs assessment
Quick Start conducts a detailed training needs analysis — job roles, skills gaps, equipment used, production processes, and performance standards. This assessment drives the customized curriculum design.
~8 hrs
-
3
Curriculum design and development
Quick Start's instructional design team builds a customized training curriculum including interactive simulations, e-learning modules, hands-on labs, and instructor-led sessions. Development happens before the facility opens.
~4 hrs
-
4
Training delivery
Quick Start instructors deliver training at the employer's facility or a nearby technical college. Training can begin before production equipment arrives using simulations and virtual tools.
~2 hrs
Quick Start is most powerful when engaged during site selection — it's part of Georgia's incentive pitch. Companies already in GA expanding headcount can still qualify; contact GDEcD to get connected.
Deadline & timing
Quick Start engages during the economic development process — ideally during site selection before a facility opens. Contact the Technical College System of Georgia's Quick Start division or the Georgia Department of Economic Development early. Training typically begins 30–90 days before new employees start.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.