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Ranked at No. 3 on CNBC’s list of “America’s Top States for Business,” Tennessee has seen an increased demand for a talented workforce to meet the needs of the rapidly developing region. City and county governments, educational institutions, community partners, and private investors continually collaborate on workforce initiatives to provide resources for job seekers and employers alike.
The Scenic City is home to a dynamic, ever-changing workforce, and regional leaders are committed to meeting the needs of Chattanooga residents. In 2023, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly joined the Tennessee State Workforce Development Board, which represents a diverse group of business, government, and education representatives. On the national level, Chattanooga was selected to be one of 16 cities participating in the Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy, an initiative led by the National League of Cities and the U.S. Department of Labor to support greater pathways for worker education. Academy cities will work throughout 2024 to develop innovative workforce solutions, especially focusing on serving residents from historically underserved and underrepresented communities.
A major focus of workforce development is continual investment in education to fill gaps in employers’ needs for skilled workers. One such program filling the gaps in the construction industry is the Construction Career Center, a training facility and vocational school for both students and industry partners. In 2023, the Construction Career Center was awarded the National Workforce Development Award by the Associated General Contractors of America for the facility’s innovative educational model. Tennessee students of technical trades show great promise and excellence, made evident by a group of students from regional colleges and postsecondary programs who took home 68 medals at the 2023 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.
The child care industry has also suffered staffing shortages in recent years, and in response, Signal Centers Inc. launched the Work Ready program in 2023. Work Ready aims to train TANF eligible parents on a path towards permanent employment in the child care industry. In addition, Tyner Academy unveiled its fourth Future Ready program last year: One Chattanooga Institute of Early Care and Learning. Students in this program will be able to attain an associate certification in child development, enabling them to find direct employment in early learning centers.
Regional educational institutions play a major role in developing skills for both emerging and established workers. Higher educators, such as Chattanooga State Community College and Cleveland State Community College, support students entering the workforce via experience-based opportunities while also partnering with local companies to sustain workforce education. Southern Adventist University offers a Professional Workforce Development program, which provides certification opportunities within the healthcare, information technology, and project management sectors.
Formed in 2015 with a goal to transform education and workforce development outcomes, Chattanooga 2.0 is a cross-sector partnership led by stakeholders representing community, business, nonprofit, public, and educational institutions. As the convening entity, the organization brings partners together to align resources and strategies needed to address structural changes within organizations for a more prepared and successful workforce. Some major focuses of the organization include supporting child care providers, connecting emerging workers with apprenticeships, and improving literacy in early elementary students. In 2023, Chattanooga 2.0 partnered with La Paz and other local organizations on the Roads to Reading project, which provided local Guatemalan families with books and literacy materials in indigenous Latin American languages.
The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, alongside local partners and businesses, supports several programs to bolster the growth, leadership development, networking, and community involvement of the local workforce. The Chattanooga Chamber Foundation supports the Young Professionals of Chattanooga, where emerging professionals can connect with employers, as well as the ChattaNewbies program, which connects new Chattanoogans to the area over casual eats and happy hour.
Chattanooga State Community College offers several programs designed to support students entering the local workforce. High school students have access to early college pathways, such as dual enrollment, Early College Academy, Collegiate High, STEM School Chattanooga, Polytech Academy, and more. In an effort to meet the rising demand for electronic vehicle technology, Volkswagen Academy training programs are expanding with more available positions for high school and post-high school students. For those looking to gain experience in software development, Chattanooga State is partnered with the Enterprise Center to offer a Google information technology certification course through the Empact Program. Chattanooga State also partners with large and small local employers to assist in workforce development with their team of highly qualified faculty and staff members. This team partners with local employers including Amazon, BASF, Gestamp, TVA, Volkswagen Chattanooga, WACKER Polysilicon, Whirlpool, and more to provide a lineup of programs, workshops, and seminars designed to tackle skill gaps, staff development, and strategic planning.
The Office of Workforce Development serves the rapidly expanding Chattanooga region by connecting residents and employers with career training, educational programs, and talent acquisition initiatives. Through the Advisory Council and Employer Roundtable programs, the office collaborates with government officials and local economic leaders in leading industries of healthcare, hospitality, information technology, logistics, manufacturing, and construction.
Another local college offering workforce readiness resources is Cleveland State Community College. In addition to dual enrollment opportunities and summer STEAM camps, Cleveland State Community College has a workforce development department that aims to prepare students to fill jobs in the region or continue in education. The college offers several work-based degree programs that give students hands-on experience through internships, practicums, clinicals, and similar initiatives, as well as offering courses in industrial technologies. For companies looking to enroll in leadership and technology development, the Workforce Development Department offers Operational Excellence and Computer & Business Administration training initiatives.
Realizing a high demand for skilled construction workers, the Construction Career Center connects high schoolers, adult students, and working professionals with the training, career counseling, and support necessary to find success in the construction industry. Students here have the opportunity for paid work-based learning, certifications, mentorship, and credit towards a high school or college transcript. The Center offers placement services with the goal of guiding every student directly into their desired career path or continued education. In 2023, the Associated General Contractors of America granted the National Workforce Development Award to the Construction Career Center.
Representing 16 counties in Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama, the Greater Chattanooga Economic Partnership aids in the region’s rapid business expansion and relocation. GCEP supports incoming companies as well as supporting established industries, such as automotive production, advanced manufacturing, and food and beverage production. The organization offers several professional services, including business site evaluations, hiring assistance, workforce training, and community networking opportunities.
The Public Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming education in the Chattanooga region. PEF provides training, research, and resources to local educators, as well as several programs to assist rising juniors and seniors in pathways to higher education and career training. STEP-UP is an internship program bridging the gap between students and the workforce, providing students the opportunity to gain critical work skills, community networking, and educational experience. PEF also partners with the Volkswagen Group of America to provide the eLab initiative, state-of-the-art labs that offer students hands-on experience with prototyping tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, microelectronics, vinyl cutters, and traditional woodworking tools. This program has garnered attention from digital fabrication organizations around the world, and over the next three years, the number of eLabs in Hamilton County Schools will increase from 36 to 53.
The Southeast Tennessee Development District is a nonprofit that collaborates with local governments and community partners to support regional economic growth. The Development District supports workforce development through Setworks, a branch devoted to help connect job seekers with employers as well as offering training resources at their American Job Centers. The American Job Centers service 10 counties and offer career training, education, Literacy Act programs, job placement assistance, and English language acquisition for adults, dislocated workers, and youths.
Southern Adventist University provides an alternative option to a traditional four-year degree path for students seeking to gain industry-recognized certifications in specific fields. The Professional Workforce Development program offers postsecondary education and hands-on training alongside advisor and university staff support. This initiative was created to deliver critical workforce education and fill in the skills gap for in-demand jobs in high-growth sectors. Students prepare for certification exams within the areas of healthcare, information technology, and professional development.
UTC supports student pathways into the workforce through career fairs and job boards as well as opportunities for job shadowing, mentorships, and experiential learning. The Gary W. Rollins College of Business and the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies also include certification opportunities in certain undergraduate programs. UTC’s Center for Professional Education supports ongoing education and certification programs for professionals at any point in their career. UTC students, community partners, and Hamilton County public schools can connect through the Center for Community Career Education, which offers several outreach programs for learners of all ages. As well as a traditional dual enrollment program, UTC also runs a Challenger STEM Learning Center. Students who take part have access to educational summer camps, hands-on team-building sessions, and simulated space missions.
Ranked at No. 3 on CNBC’s list of “America’s Top States for Business,” Tennessee has seen an increased demand for a talented workforce to meet the needs of the rapidly developing region. City and county governments, educational institutions, community partners, and private investors continually collaborate on workforce initiatives to provide resources for job seekers and employers alike.
The Scenic City is home to a dynamic, ever-changing workforce, and regional leaders are committed to meeting the needs of Chattanooga residents. In 2023, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly joined the Tennessee State Workforce Development Board, which represents a diverse group of business, government, and education representatives. On the national level, Chattanooga was selected to be one of 16 cities participating in the Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy, an initiative led by the National League of Cities and the U.S. Department of Labor to support greater pathways for worker education. Academy cities will work throughout 2024 to develop innovative workforce solutions, especially focusing on serving residents from historically underserved and underrepresented communities.
A major focus of workforce development is continual investment in education to fill gaps in employers’ needs for skilled workers. One such program filling the gaps in the construction industry is the Construction Career Center, a training facility and vocational school for both students and industry partners. In 2023, the Construction Career Center was awarded the National Workforce Development Award by the Associated General Contractors of America for the facility’s innovative educational model. Tennessee students of technical trades show great promise and excellence, made evident by a group of students from regional colleges and postsecondary programs who took home 68 medals at the 2023 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.
The child care industry has also suffered staffing shortages in recent years, and in response, Signal Centers Inc. launched the Work Ready program in 2023. Work Ready aims to train TANF eligible parents on a path towards permanent employment in the child care industry. In addition, Tyner Academy unveiled its fourth Future Ready program last year: One Chattanooga Institute of Early Care and Learning. Students in this program will be able to attain an associate certification in child development, enabling them to find direct employment in early learning centers.
Regional educational institutions play a major role in developing skills for both emerging and established workers. Higher educators, such as Chattanooga State Community College and Cleveland State Community College, support students entering the workforce via experience-based opportunities while also partnering with local companies to sustain workforce education. Southern Adventist University offers a Professional Workforce Development program, which provides certification opportunities within the healthcare, information technology, and project management sectors.
Formed in 2015 with a goal to transform education and workforce development outcomes, Chattanooga 2.0 is a cross-sector partnership led by stakeholders representing community, business, nonprofit, public, and educational institutions. As the convening entity, the organization brings partners together to align resources and strategies needed to address structural changes within organizations for a more prepared and successful workforce. Some major focuses of the organization include supporting child care providers, connecting emerging workers with apprenticeships, and improving literacy in early elementary students. In 2023, Chattanooga 2.0 partnered with La Paz and other local organizations on the Roads to Reading project, which provided local Guatemalan families with books and literacy materials in indigenous Latin American languages.
The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, alongside local partners and businesses, supports several programs to bolster the growth, leadership development, networking, and community involvement of the local workforce. The Chattanooga Chamber Foundation supports the Young Professionals of Chattanooga, where emerging professionals can connect with employers, as well as the ChattaNewbies program, which connects new Chattanoogans to the area over casual eats and happy hour.
Chattanooga State Community College offers several programs designed to support students entering the local workforce. High school students have access to early college pathways, such as dual enrollment, Early College Academy, Collegiate High, STEM School Chattanooga, Polytech Academy, and more. In an effort to meet the rising demand for electronic vehicle technology, Volkswagen Academy training programs are expanding with more available positions for high school and post-high school students. For those looking to gain experience in software development, Chattanooga State is partnered with the Enterprise Center to offer a Google information technology certification course through the Empact Program. Chattanooga State also partners with large and small local employers to assist in workforce development with their team of highly qualified faculty and staff members. This team partners with local employers including Amazon, BASF, Gestamp, TVA, Volkswagen Chattanooga, WACKER Polysilicon, Whirlpool, and more to provide a lineup of programs, workshops, and seminars designed to tackle skill gaps, staff development, and strategic planning.
The Office of Workforce Development serves the rapidly expanding Chattanooga region by connecting residents and employers with career training, educational programs, and talent acquisition initiatives. Through the Advisory Council and Employer Roundtable programs, the office collaborates with government officials and local economic leaders in leading industries of healthcare, hospitality, information technology, logistics, manufacturing, and construction.
Another local college offering workforce readiness resources is Cleveland State Community College. In addition to dual enrollment opportunities and summer STEAM camps, Cleveland State Community College has a workforce development department that aims to prepare students to fill jobs in the region or continue in education. The college offers several work-based degree programs that give students hands-on experience through internships, practicums, clinicals, and similar initiatives, as well as offering courses in industrial technologies. For companies looking to enroll in leadership and technology development, the Workforce Development Department offers Operational Excellence and Computer & Business Administration training initiatives.
Realizing a high demand for skilled construction workers, the Construction Career Center connects high schoolers, adult students, and working professionals with the training, career counseling, and support necessary to find success in the construction industry. Students here have the opportunity for paid work-based learning, certifications, mentorship, and credit towards a high school or college transcript. The Center offers placement services with the goal of guiding every student directly into their desired career path or continued education. In 2023, the Associated General Contractors of America granted the National Workforce Development Award to the Construction Career Center.
Representing 16 counties in Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama, the Greater Chattanooga Economic Partnership aids in the region’s rapid business expansion and relocation. GCEP supports incoming companies as well as supporting established industries, such as automotive production, advanced manufacturing, and food and beverage production. The organization offers several professional services, including business site evaluations, hiring assistance, workforce training, and community networking opportunities.
The Public Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming education in the Chattanooga region. PEF provides training, research, and resources to local educators, as well as several programs to assist rising juniors and seniors in pathways to higher education and career training. STEP-UP is an internship program bridging the gap between students and the workforce, providing students the opportunity to gain critical work skills, community networking, and educational experience. PEF also partners with the Volkswagen Group of America to provide the eLab initiative, state-of-the-art labs that offer students hands-on experience with prototyping tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, microelectronics, vinyl cutters, and traditional woodworking tools. This program has garnered attention from digital fabrication organizations around the world, and over the next three years, the number of eLabs in Hamilton County Schools will increase from 36 to 53.
The Southeast Tennessee Development District is a nonprofit that collaborates with local governments and community partners to support regional economic growth. The Development District supports workforce development through Setworks, a branch devoted to help connect job seekers with employers as well as offering training resources at their American Job Centers. The American Job Centers service 10 counties and offer career training, education, Literacy Act programs, job placement assistance, and English language acquisition for adults, dislocated workers, and youths.
Southern Adventist University provides an alternative option to a traditional four-year degree path for students seeking to gain industry-recognized certifications in specific fields. The Professional Workforce Development program offers postsecondary education and hands-on training alongside advisor and university staff support. This initiative was created to deliver critical workforce education and fill in the skills gap for in-demand jobs in high-growth sectors. Students prepare for certification exams within the areas of healthcare, information technology, and professional development.
UTC supports student pathways into the workforce through career fairs and job boards as well as opportunities for job shadowing, mentorships, and experiential learning. The Gary W. Rollins College of Business and the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies also include certification opportunities in certain undergraduate programs. UTC’s Center for Professional Education supports ongoing education and certification programs for professionals at any point in their career. UTC students, community partners, and Hamilton County public schools can connect through the Center for Community Career Education, which offers several outreach programs for learners of all ages. As well as a traditional dual enrollment program, UTC also runs a Challenger STEM Learning Center. Students who take part have access to educational summer camps, hands-on team-building sessions, and simulated space missions.
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