(WSB Radio) It's a one of a kind program designed to get people back to work, and it's working well in Georgia.

It's called the Georgia Works program, a brainchild of Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.  And, since it's inception 5 years ago, the program has been a great success.

"It's basically something designed to stimulate job growth," says Timothy Alexander with the Department of Labor. 

The Georgia Works program is a simple concept that matches potential employees with potential employers, but not in the traditional way.

It works like this; a jobless person with at least 14 weeks of unemployment benefits remaining is eligible.  They go to work for a business enrolled in the plan, but receive no pay from that business.  Instead, they receive their normal unemployment insurance payments while doing on the job training with the company.

"It's designed for them (the workers) to showcase their skills," Alexander says, "perhaps pick up new skills in the workplace."

The employee can work for up to 8 weeks, at no more than 24 hours a week.  In addition to their unemployment check, they also receive a $240 stipend, part of their benefits.

"This is to offset gas costs or anything that might occur with them traveling out to that employer," Alexander says.  The $240 can also be used for child care, clothing for the job, or any other job related expense.

One of the unique features of the Georgia Works program is that the employee can market themselves to the employer.

"We have a list of companies that have joined," Alexander says, "and we always encourage our claimants.  You identify a company, we'll go and talk to them and it doesn't matter if they're on the list now.  We can always add potential employers to that list."

The Department of Labor's list isn't just large corporations with hundreds of employees.  Any business, from Coca-Cola to the pet store in the shopping center, can be a part of the program.

"It runs the full gamut of employers," says Alexander.  "There's no one type of company that can participate in it."

The program began in March of 2003 and is unique to Georgia.  Since it began, over 6300 employers have taken part in it, taking on over 8600 workers. 

Of those 8600, almost 60% of them have been hired due to the program, either by the company they worked for, or, thanks to their new job skills, another company.

Because of Georgia Works and its ability to get unemployment insurance recipients back to work faster, $5.2 million dollars have been saved in the state's unemployment insurance trust fund, from which benefits are paid.