Georgia’s High Demand Career List (HDCL) for 2026 – a strategic blueprint for workforce development in the Peach State- has officially been approved for implementation by the State Workforce Development Board. The HDCL reflects collaborations among multiple state agencies to advance Governor Brian Kemp’s Top State for Talent initiative.

The HDCL was developed by the governor’s Education and Workforce Strategy Team. Members include the Technical College System of Georgia and its Office of Workforce Development/WorkSource Georgia, the Georgia Department of Education, the University System of Georgia, the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, the Georgia Student Finance Commission and the Georgia Department of Labor.

“The High Demand Career List serves as a strategic framework for workforce development, ensuring that Georgians receive the education and training necessary to meet industry needs and sustain our position as the nation’s top state for business,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “By working closely with industry partners, we ensure Georgians gain the skills, credentials and wages needed to build and strengthen our workforce.”

The HDCL includes both statewide and regional lists, which are vital tools for building Georgia’s talent pipeline. The statewide list features 18 career categories, while 12 regional lists* address the unique needs of local economies. State labor data experts create the lists through an aggregation of information from sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bureau of Economic Analysis, then filter them based on potential growth, earnings, education and training requirements, and average number of job openings.

The High Demand Career List is reviewed annually to ensure alignment with current labor market trends. The 2026 HDCL is available at https://www.tcsg.edu/ga-high-demand/ and will take effect on January 1.