Ranked in the top 10 on CNBC’s list of “America’s Top States for Business in 2024,” 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 continue to join forces on workforce initiatives to provide resources for job seekers and employers alike.
Chattanooga boasts a talented, dynamic workforce, and regional leaders are committed to supporting career development and growth for 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. At the national level, Chattanooga was selected to participate in Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy, an initiative throughout 2023 and 2024 led by the National League of Cities and the U.S. Department of Labor to support greater pathways for worker education.
Education and career preparedness continue to be essential elements of workforce development as employers seek to meet an increasing need 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. Other programs such as Learning Blade, a manufacturing and engineering-focused curriculum with fully-funded access in Tennessee, are providing resources to educators and helping address critical workforce shortages in STEM. Additionally, a new career and technical center for high school students is approved for construction at the 11-acre site of the former BlueCross BlueShield building in downtown Chattanooga. To support workforce development initiatives at the center, Hamilton County is set to receive $2 million from the state.
Regional educational institutions play a critical role in developing skills for both emerging and established workers. Among higher educators supporting the local workforce, Chatta-nooga State Community College’s Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) branch was honored in 2024 as a National Model of Excellence school by SkillsUSA for its technical skills. Other higher educators, such as Cleveland State Community College and Southern Adventist University, offer various experience-based opportunities to support workforce education. At the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the EXPAND TN initiative is being launched with a $800,000 funding award from the National Science Foundation. The program will allow 120 high school students to explore careers in engineering and technology through a six-week experiential learning course.
Area leaders and employers are committed to serving Chattanoogans through every stage of life, from early childhood to higher education and professional careers. As part of the 2025 Early Childhood Action Plan, Chattanooga 2.0’s Early Matters coalition consists of local organizations driving actionable strategies to ensure healthy, positive childhoods for Hamilton County children. These initiatives encompass early childhood care, education, health, and development. To help support the child care workforce, Tyner Academy also offers the One Chattanooga Institute of Early Care and Learning. Students in this program are able to attain an associate certification in child development, enabling them to find direct employment in early learning centers.
With a mission to transform education and workforce development outcomes, Chattanooga 2.0 was founded in 2015 to facilitate cross-sector partnership between 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 2024, Chattanooga 2.0 and local partners worked to expand its Literacy First program to serve 12 schools after a successful pilot in the 2023-24 school year.
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.
Several programs at Chattanooga State are designed to support students entering the local workforce. High school students have access to early college pathways, including dual enrollment, Early College Academy, Collegiate High, STEM School Chattanooga, Polytech Academy, and more. For those looking to gain experience in electronic vehicle technology, Chatta-nooga State offers the first associate of applied science degree in electric vehicle engineering technology in the state. Volkswagen Academy training programs are expanding with more available positions for high school and post-high school students. Students interested in software development can take advantage of Chattanooga State’s partnership with the Enterprise Center, which offers 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 Operations, 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. In collaboration with government officials and local economic leaders, the office’s Advisory Council and Employer Roundtable programs bring together representatives of leading industries, including healthcare, hospitality, information technology, logistics, manufacturing, and construction.
Cleveland State Community College is another local college offering workforce readiness resources. 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. Several work-based degree programs at the school give students hands-on experience through internships, practicums, clinicals, and similar initiatives, as well as 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.
The Construction Career Center supports the region’s high demand for skilled construction workers by connecting high schoolers, adult students, and working professionals with the training, career counseling, and support necessary to find success in the construction industry. The Center offers students the opportunity for paid work-based learning, certifications, mentorship, and credit towards a high school or college transcript. Placement services are also available 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 offers training, research, and resources to local educators, as well as several programs to support 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 develop critical work skills, professional mentorship, 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. By 2026, the number of Volkswagen eLabs is expected to grow from the current 43 to 53 across Hamilton County Schools.
In collaboration with local governments and community partners, the Southeast Tennessee Development District works to support regional economic growth. The Development District supports workforce development through Setworks, a branch devoted to helping 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.
A variety of pathways into the workforce through career fairs and job boards as well as opportunities for job shadowing, mentorships, and experiential learning are available to students at UTC. 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 offers 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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Ranked in the top 10 on CNBC’s list of “America’s Top States for Business in 2024,” 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 continue to join forces on workforce initiatives to provide resources for job seekers and employers alike.
Chattanooga boasts a talented, dynamic workforce, and regional leaders are committed to supporting career development and growth for 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. At the national level, Chattanooga was selected to participate in Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy, an initiative throughout 2023 and 2024 led by the National League of Cities and the U.S. Department of Labor to support greater pathways for worker education.
Education and career preparedness continue to be essential elements of workforce development as employers seek to meet an increasing need 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. Other programs such as Learning Blade, a manufacturing and engineering-focused curriculum with fully-funded access in Tennessee, are providing resources to educators and helping address critical workforce shortages in STEM. Additionally, a new career and technical center for high school students is approved for construction at the 11-acre site of the former BlueCross BlueShield building in downtown Chattanooga. To support workforce development initiatives at the center, Hamilton County is set to receive $2 million from the state.
Regional educational institutions play a critical role in developing skills for both emerging and established workers. Among higher educators supporting the local workforce, Chatta-nooga State Community College’s Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) branch was honored in 2024 as a National Model of Excellence school by SkillsUSA for its technical skills. Other higher educators, such as Cleveland State Community College and Southern Adventist University, offer various experience-based opportunities to support workforce education. At the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the EXPAND TN initiative is being launched with a $800,000 funding award from the National Science Foundation. The program will allow 120 high school students to explore careers in engineering and technology through a six-week experiential learning course.
Area leaders and employers are committed to serving Chattanoogans through every stage of life, from early childhood to higher education and professional careers. As part of the 2025 Early Childhood Action Plan, Chattanooga 2.0’s Early Matters coalition consists of local organizations driving actionable strategies to ensure healthy, positive childhoods for Hamilton County children. These initiatives encompass early childhood care, education, health, and development. To help support the child care workforce, Tyner Academy also offers the One Chattanooga Institute of Early Care and Learning. Students in this program are able to attain an associate certification in child development, enabling them to find direct employment in early learning centers.
With a mission to transform education and workforce development outcomes, Chattanooga 2.0 was founded in 2015 to facilitate cross-sector partnership between 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 2024, Chattanooga 2.0 and local partners worked to expand its Literacy First program to serve 12 schools after a successful pilot in the 2023-24 school year.
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.
Several programs at Chattanooga State are designed to support students entering the local workforce. High school students have access to early college pathways, including dual enrollment, Early College Academy, Collegiate High, STEM School Chattanooga, Polytech Academy, and more. For those looking to gain experience in electronic vehicle technology, Chatta-nooga State offers the first associate of applied science degree in electric vehicle engineering technology in the state. Volkswagen Academy training programs are expanding with more available positions for high school and post-high school students. Students interested in software development can take advantage of Chattanooga State’s partnership with the Enterprise Center, which offers 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 Operations, 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. In collaboration with government officials and local economic leaders, the office’s Advisory Council and Employer Roundtable programs bring together representatives of leading industries, including healthcare, hospitality, information technology, logistics, manufacturing, and construction.
Cleveland State Community College is another local college offering workforce readiness resources. 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. Several work-based degree programs at the school give students hands-on experience through internships, practicums, clinicals, and similar initiatives, as well as 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.
The Construction Career Center supports the region’s high demand for skilled construction workers by connecting high schoolers, adult students, and working professionals with the training, career counseling, and support necessary to find success in the construction industry. The Center offers students the opportunity for paid work-based learning, certifications, mentorship, and credit towards a high school or college transcript. Placement services are also available 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 offers training, research, and resources to local educators, as well as several programs to support 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 develop critical work skills, professional mentorship, 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. By 2026, the number of Volkswagen eLabs is expected to grow from the current 43 to 53 across Hamilton County Schools.
In collaboration with local governments and community partners, the Southeast Tennessee Development District works to support regional economic growth. The Development District supports workforce development through Setworks, a branch devoted to helping 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.
A variety of pathways into the workforce through career fairs and job boards as well as opportunities for job shadowing, mentorships, and experiential learning are available to students at UTC. 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 offers 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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