The Metro Atlanta eXchange for Workforce Solutions (MAX) was launched in December 2014 by a team of regional leaders who recognized that increased collaboration across the Atlanta region’s workforce development arena empowers all stakeholders to positively influence each other’s efforts and realize greater collective impacts through stronger cohesiveness. MAX has since served as a convener and connector for the Atlanta region’s workforce development community, pulling together all the players across the broad workforce system together in one place and on a regular basis. Indeed, MAX has developed into a dynamic network to serve and connect workforce developers.
In January 2021, MAX became metro Atlanta’s premier professional membership association for workforce developers… We would be honored for you to join our association! Join MAX today to gain access to curated workforce resources and professional development specifically for workforce developers. Join MAX to build and strengthen connections with the broader workforce ecosystem and raise awareness about the good work you are doing to serve job seekers and employers.
Member Benefits
Curated Resources: In addition to accessing the MAX Mondays weekly email and MAX website, members can post to the MAX Job Board and MAX RFP Board which is pushed out through MAX Mondays. MAX Mondays is delivered into the inboxes of more than 1,700 workforce developers and partners. MAX members can also lift up the work they or others do by contributing a report, study, or tool to our MAX Resource Library.
Professional Development: MAX supports our members with knowledge acquisition, skill-building, and networking opportunities through professional development programs held throughout the year. MAX members can pursue their Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP) certification with the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) through their MAX membership. In addition, through our MAX Academy, members can earn credits toward their Certified Workforce Professional (CWP) certification with the International Association of Workforce Professionals (IAWP). MAX Academy participation also counts towards recertification credits for either the CWDP or CWP certifications. MAX members also receive a 25 percent discount on registration for Certified Business Engagement Professional (CBEP) training program with Business U.
| Professional Development | Member Price | Non-Member Price |
| MAX Academy (4/year) | 1/2 Price | Full Price |
| MAX Minutes (12/year) | Free | Free |
| MAX Talks (4/year) | $25 in-person (virtual = free) | $60 in-person (virtual = $35) |
| MAX Annual Meeting (1/year) | Varies by year | Not open to non-members |
Connection: As a neutral convener, MAX helps strengthen connections and foster alignment across the region’s workforce ecosystem through the MAX Leadership Network, MAX Data Council and MAX Provider Council. These groups are open to members only. In addition, the MAX Annual Meeting is a signature event that brings all of our MAX members together.
Awareness: A key goal for MAX is to increase awareness and visibility of workforce development system assets and opportunities. One of the ways we do this is through our MAX Provider Portal where workforce partners can learn who is doing what, where, and for whom. MAX members can also share their insights through our MAX Member Spotlights or by serving as a guest writer for our MAX Blog which is prominently featured on our website. More than 26,000 visitors have visited our website in 2021. In addition, MAX members can share and receive early alerts on workforce partnership opportunities made possible through fellow MAX members.
And last but not least, becoming a MAX member opens up opportunities to more actively engage with a strong and dynamic network of workforce professionals who stand ready to provide peer-to-peer support while working jointly with you in addressing the workforce development needs of our communities.
| Membership Tier | Organizational Budget | Annual Dues |
| 1 | < $1,000,000 | $150.00 |
| 2 | $1,000,001 to $9,999,999 | $275.00 |
| 3 | > $10,000,000 | $495.00 |
Click here for more information.
The MAX Factor
“In 2016, I made a choice to leave my career industry after 22 years. I began a career to direct and establish the workforce development effort at City of Refuge. It was a steep learning curve and I could not have done it without the help of the Metro Atlanta eXchange for Workforce Solutions (MAX)!
MAX provided me with mentors, employer relationships, Workforce Partners and general knowledge to develop a successful program at City of Refuge. The MAX meetings have guided my strategies to align with the needs of metro Atlanta and to serve as a partner to accomplish more than we could working alone.
In 2020, we will have placed 500 underemployed & unemployed into a combination of entry level and high demand career initiative positions. Thank you MAX for helping us attain that goal in a pandemic year!”
Jeannie Ross, Director, Good Works Employment Center, City of Refuge
“MAX has been an instrumental resource for our agency. We have employees who participate in various MAX events, like the MAX Academy or MAX Minutes. For example, members of our Division of Child Support find these meetings beneficial for learning how to best connect our non-custodial parents who are underemployed or unemployed with helpful workforce development resources. MAX is also valuable due to the fact that as one of the largest state agencies, we continue to look for qualified employees through the MAX network.“
Gerlda Hines, Former Commissioner, Georgia Department of Human Services, a Champion Anchor Investor for MAX
Anchor Investors
MAX is especially grateful to our Anchor Investors for their ongoing support. Anchor Investors can invest at the Champion, Catalyst, or Advocate levels.
| Anchor | Investment Level | # of Members |
| Champion | $25,000 per year | Unlimited |
| Catalyst | $10,000 per year | 25 |
| Advocate | $5,000 per year | 12 |
Click here to see our current Anchor Investors. For questions regarding becoming an Anchor Investor, please contact Rob LeBeau at rlebeau@atlantaregional.org.
Ready to Join?
For questions regarding MAX membership, please contact Joy Wilkins at joy@servingcommunities.net.