Workforce Development

Founded in 2015, Chattanooga 2.0 is a dynamic nonprofit dedicated to enhancing economic opportunity and quality of life in Chattanooga and Hamilton County through education and career access. As the convening entity, the organization facilitates cross-sector partnerships between stakeholders representing community, business, nonprofit, public, and educational institutions to align resources and strategies that address structural changes within organizations for a more prepared and successful workforce. The organization does this by supporting child care providers, connecting emerging workers with apprenticeships, improving literacy in early elementary students, and more. In 2025, Chattanooga 2.0 and local partners worked towards recruiting 14 AmeriCorps Members for their Literacy First Tutoring Program to serve 12 schools after a successful 2024-25 school year. 

Welcoming over $1 billion in capital investment for the 2024-25 fiscal year, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and its local partners and businesses continue to drive programs that are designed to strengthen workforce growth, leadership development, networking, and community engagement. Through the Chattanooga Chamber Foundation, the Young Professionals of Chattanooga offers rising talent opportunities to meet employers, while the ChattaNewbies program helps newcomers settle into the city by gathering over casual food and relaxed happy hours.

Chattanooga State runs several initiatives that help students transition into the local workforce. High schoolers can tap into early college options – dual enrollment, Early College Academy, Collegiate High, STEM School Chattanooga, Polytech Academy, and more. Students pursuing electric-vehicle careers can enroll in Tennessee’s first associate of applied science in electric vehicle engineering technology. Volkswagen Academy is also widening its training programs, opening additional spots for both high school and post-high school participants. Those interested in software development can take advantage of Chattanooga State’s collaboration with the Enterprise Center, which provides a Google IT certification through the Empact Program. The college also works closely with major and small employers – including Amazon, BASF, Gestamp, TVA, Volkswagen Chattanooga Operations, WACKER Polysilicon, and Whirlpool – to deliver programs,
workshops, and seminars aimed at closing skill gaps, advancing staff development, and strengthening strategic workforce planning. For unemployed adults, the college offers Tennessee Reconnect to help pursue a degree or technical certificate.   

The Office of Workforce Development supports Chattanooga’s fast-growing region by linking residents and employers to job training, education pathways, and talent-building initiatives. Working alongside public officials and economic partners, the office connects leaders from key sectors – healthcare, hospitality, IT, logistics, manufacturing, and construction – through its Advisory Council and Employer Roundtable programs.

Cleveland State Community College (CSCC) offers a wide range of workforce-readiness resources for local students and employers. Along with dual-enrollment options and summer STEAM camps, the college’s Workforce Development Department prepares learners for regional jobs or further education through work-based degree programs that include internships, practicums, clinicals, and industrial-technology coursework. The department also provides employers with leadership and technology training through its Operational Excellence and Computer & Business Administration programs. With a $25,000 TN Accelerate grant in 2025, CSCC expanded its credential pathways and piloted a Higher Education Center Model, giving students faster, more flexible routes to complete programs and earn in-demand credentials.

The Construction Career Center meets the region’s growing need for skilled construction workers by connecting high school students, adult learners, and professionals with hands-on training, career guidance, and support to thrive in the industry. Its high school program is structured around dual enrollment with TCAT and Chattanooga State, allowing students to earn NCCER certifications and participate in paid work-based learning. Students also receive mentorship and credit toward high school or college transcripts, while placement services guide every learner into their chosen career or further education.

Representing 16 counties across Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama, the Greater Chattanooga Economic Partnership drives the region’s business growth and attracts relocating companies. GCEP supports both new and established industries – including automotive, advanced manufacturing, and food and beverage production – by providing site evaluations, workforce training, hiring assistance, and opportunities for community and industry networking.

Dedicated to transforming education in the Chattanooga region, the Public Education Foundation is a nonprofit providing training, research, and resources to local educators. The organization offers programs that help rising juniors and seniors pursue higher education and career pathways, including STEP-UP, an internship program that develops critical work skills through professional mentorship, community networking, and hands-on experience. PEF also partners with the Volkswagen Group of America on the eLab initiative, providing state-of-the-art labs where students use 3D printers, laser cutters, microelectronics, vinyl cutters, and traditional woodworking tools. By 2026, the number of Volkswagen eLabs is expected to grow from 43 to 53 across Hamilton County Schools.

In partnership with local governments and community organizations, the Southeast Tennessee Development District fosters regional economic growth. Through SetWorks, its workforce-development branch, the District connects job seekers with employers and provides training resources via American Job Centers, which serve 10 counties. Guided by the District’s 2024-2027 strategic workforce plan – which emphasizes credential- and certification-based training, WIOA alignment, and customized on-the-job learning – these centers offer career training, educational programs, Literacy Act services, job placement support, and English-language instruction for adults, dislocated workers, and youth.   

For students aiming to gain industry-recognized certifications without following a traditional four-year degree path, Southern Adventist University offers a practical alternative. The Professional Workforce Development program blends hands-on training with postsecondary coursework and personalized support from advisors and university staff. Created to close the skills gap in high-growth industries, it prepares students for certification exams in healthcare, information technology, and professional development, helping them step directly into in-demand careers.

At UTC, students can explore a variety of pathways into the workforce, from career fairs and job boards to job shadowing, mentorships, and hands-on experiential learning. Certain undergraduate programs in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business and the College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies offer industry certifications, and the Center for Professional Education provides continuing education and certifications for professionals at any stage. The Center for Community Career Education connects students, community partners, and Hamilton County schools through outreach programs, and UTC also runs the Challenger STEM Learning Center, giving students access to summer camps, team-building challenges, and simulated space missions.