In today’s down economy, it’s wise to get any edge possible over applicants in the job market.

Marjorie Poss, counselor at Dawson County High School, thinks students should take every possible opportunity to become more marketable.

An opportunity presented itself Oct. 13, and 218 Dawson County High School students could not pass it up.

The students took Georgia Work Ready, a skills assessment test and certification for job seekers, a job profiling system for businesses.

Senior Matthew Allison took the test because he thought it might give him “a better chance of getting a job.

“I also wanted to take it for the challenge,” Allison said.

Poss said it’s a challenge that’s well worth the outcome.

“It tells a student what areas he or she is really strong in,” Poss said.

The test was administered on a voluntary basis. Students were not required to take it. The fact that so many students volunteered showed Poss “their commitment not only to their education, but their future careers.”

According to its Web site, Georgia Work Ready was launched in August 2006 by Gov. Sonny Perdue and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce “to improve job training and marketability of Georgia’s workforce and drive future economic growth for the state.

“By identifying both the needs of business and the available skills of Georgia’s workforce, the state can more effectively generate the right talent for the right jobs.”

For more information, visit www.gaworkready.org.