Unemployed Georgians seeking jobs have a new resource: the Be Work Ready program.

A new component of the Work Ready program, which trains students in core work skills, Be Work Ready begins Monday at six Lanier Technical College campuses, including Forsyth County.

"There's a lot of negative going on the with economy, and this is some kind of hope, something positive," said Russell Vandiver, executive director of economic development services at Lanier Tech.

"People are tired of looking for jobs and can't find anything, and we're encouraging them to see that there are opportunities out there."

The program is a statewide initiative designed to improve the marketability of the state's work force and drive economic growth in the state.

It will also be offered at Lanier Tech's campuses in Dawson County, Oakwood, Milton, Jackson County and Winder.

Participants are assessed in applied mathematics, reading for information, locating information and work habits.

Work ready certificates are awarded at bronze, silver, gold or platinum levels.

"There's an economic incentive for unemployed people, too," said Royce Glenn, director of the program at Lanier Tech. "If you come in and earn platinum right off, you get $100. If your level is less than that, you earn $50 but get the chance to raise the score and earn an additional $100."

Vandiver said the idea is to get students on campus to see what training is like.

"It was scary for me to go back and get my master's degree a few years ago," he said. "Some people may be hesitant to walk on a campus again, and we want them to see how different it probably is from their perception."

Technical training could be the answer to obtaining job skills, he said.

"Get help here with the job search and develop a better resume," Vandiver said. "A technical college and training can open a lot of doors."