Workforce

Connect to a Skilled and Eager Workforce

Businesses that locate or expand in Wayne County have access to a diverse labor market within a 60-minute drive time. While Wayne County’s labor force is a little more than 12,300 workers strong, employers have access to a workforce of more than 200,000. Many of these workers have the intermediate and high-level skills necessary to meet the needs of businesses. Wayne and the counties immediately surrounding it have a workforce that tops 100,000.

The Wayne County area labor force is well-trained and educated, with more than 41% of workers having some college experience. Coastal Pines Technical College offers associate degree, diploma and technical certificate programs on its Jesup campus while also working with local businesses through Georgia’s acclaimed Quick Start program.

Coastal Pines’ Jesup campus is one of seven in Southeast Georgia. Some students choose to attend the campus in Brunswick, Georgia, approximately one hour away, or to attend the College of Coastal Georgia which is also in Brunswick.

The Wayne County workforce also gets a boost from Wayne County High School students who are dual-enrolled at either Coastal Pines Tech or the College of Coastal Georgia. These students earn college credits while still pursuing their high school diplomas, thus accelerating their trajectory into the workforce.

Labor Force & Unemployment

Area Labor Force Unemployment Rate
Wayne County 12,346 3.1%
Wayne Area 103,410 3.9%
60-min drive time 217,412 3.4%

*Wayne Area includes Appling, Brantley, Glynn, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Tattnall, and Wayne counties

Source: Esri 2023

Quick Start Training

Coastal Pines Technical College is the provider in Wayne County of Georgia’s acclaimed Quick Start program. Quick Start works with qualified companies to establish custom employee training programs, either on campus or on site, at no cost to the employer.

Other Employer Assistance

Georgia Tech can partner with Georgia companies to offer access to world-class talent and an array of services to help with issues related to process productivity, quality and international standards, energy and environmental management, lean enterprise transformation, trade adjustment assistance, new product design and development, and information technology strategies.

Georgia's Department of Labor Career Center in Brunswick serves Wayne County and is available to administer: 1) applicant recruitment; 2) screening to company-defined criteria; 3) referral and provision of office space for new employee interviews.

Top 15 Technical College Certificates (2022)

Welding Technology/Welder 414
Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide 185
Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor 181
Cosmetology/Cosmetologist 155
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General 124
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology 102
Child Care Provider/Assistant 63
Electrician 54
Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician 54
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT/Paramedic) 48

Source: Georgia Department of Labor Area Labor Profile, August 2023

Demographics

As our local companies continue to expand and other businesses “connect in Wayne,” our community continues to support them by supplying the skilled and qualified workers needed to ensure success.

Wayne County Fast Facts

  • Population: 30,933 (2023)
  • 59.9% of Wayne County's population is of working age (18-64)
  • More than 41% of area residents have college experience
  • Labor force of 159,000+ within 45 miles of Jesup, Ga.

Education Attainment Wayne Area

Associate Degree or Higher 25.2%
Some College 16.5%
Completed High School 86.7%

Source: Esri 2023

Income

When compared to statewide and national averages, Wayne County’s moderate Household Income (HHI) helps make the area attractive to businesses and industries looking to relocate or expand.