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With the continued growth of manufacturing and logistics industries, along with a steady stream of new residents and visitors to the area, Chattanooga has a unique demand for skilled labor across several business sectors. To meet the needs for a talented workforce, workforce development programs continue to expand to provide resources needed for job seekers and current employees, as well as employers.
According to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, by the end of 2022, the state of Tennessee expects to see 18,000 to 20,000 new jobs from employers. Filling these roles with skilled workers requires workforce development programs to step up and focus not only on training but also recruitment and retention.
A 2022 study published by LinkedIn states that Chattanooga ranks second in the nation for hiring entry-level positions, signaling that recruitment and education measures are being put in place. Locally, a big demand was addressed with the addition of the Construction Career Center, which opened in the fall of 2022. The organization, which notes 88% of construction companies are in need of workers, is open to both high school students and adult learners and aims to have 100% industry job placement for its graduates.
Relatively new to the Scenic City, powerhouse Novonix teamed up with Hamilton County Schools in 2022 to open a new Future Ready Institute at Lookout Valley Middle High School. Students of the program receive safety tutorials, lab training, job shadowing opportunities, and a guaranteed interview with Novonix upon graduation. Chattanooga Coca-Cola is also helping make strides with its five-year partnership agreement to support another Future Ready Institute – the Hixson High School Coca-Cola Institute of Business. This brings the number of Future Ready Institutes that have a branded partnership to 10 and offers students the unique chance to learn from local business leaders.
In neighboring Bradley County, the new Partnerships in Industry and Education (PIE) Innovation Center recently opened its doors to both Bradley County and Polk County students and has plans to expand offerings to Meigs, McMinn, and North Hamilton county schools. This facility brings together business, secondary/postsecondary education, and nonprofit services under one roof to provide students with dual credit, dual enrollment, industry certifications, and more.
In addition to employer and government-led programs, local colleges and universities have established workforce development programs. Leaders in this area have been Chattanooga State Community College, Cleveland State Community College, and Southern Adventist University, which began offering their Professional Workforce Development program in 2022. This program focuses on healthcare, information technology, and project management in order to fill skill gaps.
On top of these new programs, several organizations have been offering education and training for years and continue to pave the way for the area’s workforce.
Chattanooga 2.0 is a cradle-to-career collaborative of Chattanooga and Hamilton County. 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 that brings partners together to align resources and strategic focus, Chattanooga 2.0 seeks to increase equity and opportunities for students, and some recent goals of the organization include facilitating kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading proficiency, college and career-ready graduates, postsecondary education attainment, and a thriving wage for young adults.
The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce has a variety of programs and initiatives that are designed to support the local education system. In addition to its focus on primary, secondary, and postsecondary education, the Chamber, along with the Chattanooga Chamber Foundation, supports several standalone programs to promote and enhance business and community leadership, professional development, networking, and community involvement.
Chattanooga State Community College offers several programs designed to boost the local workforce. Available to high school students is a variety of early college options such as Dual Enrollment, Early College Academy, Collegiate High, STEM High School, Polytech Academy, Mechatronics Academy at Volkswagen, and more. In addition to programs geared toward high school students, Chattanooga State also maintains a workforce development team comprised 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 that are designed to tackle skill gaps, staff development, productivity issues, and strategic planning. Chattanooga State boasts a Child Development Center, which not only provides childcare for staff and students but also allows students in the early childhood education program to complete their observations and practicum hours, as well as other graduation requirements.
Started in 2018, the Office of Workforce Development aims to advance economic opportunities and community development by connecting residents with career openings, training, and educational programs. In addition to general educational and job search resources, the Office of Workforce Development is specifically focused on providing resources tailored to the needs of the healthcare, hospitality, information technology, logistics, manufacturing, and construction industries through resources such as apprenticeships, internships, work-based learning, job shadowing, and mentoring.
Yet another local college offering workforce development resources for students at various levels is Cleveland State Community College. In addition to STEAM camps throughout the summer and dual enrollment opportunities, Cleveland State Community College has a workforce development department that works to train students for area employers looking to fill jobs. Courses in industrial technologies such as welding, PLC (programmable logistic controller), mechanics, and electrical are offered, along with classes on computer and business administration. The department also has an operational excellence division that touches on topics such as leadership, communication training, human resources, and process simplification, among others.
Opened in 2022, the Construction Career Center provides both high school students and adult learners with training, career counseling, and resources for the construction industry. Hamilton County juniors and seniors can participate in a dual enrollment program where graduates receive at least five certifications, and adult learners also have access to certification training, instruction, and mentorship. In addition, the organization offers placement services. The school’s curriculum has been designed by the National Center for Construction Education & Research, and emphasis is placed on a broad and thorough understanding of the construction process.
With a footprint that covers 16 counties in Southeast Tennessee, Northwest Georgia, and Northeast Alabama, Greater Chattanooga Economic Partnership (GCEP) focuses on sustainability growing the greater Chattanooga area. As a major focus area for the organization, GCEP aims to bolster workforce preparedness by helping connect members of the community with career centers, contract and temp firms, colleges, and other hiring partners.
The Public Education Foundation (PEF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming public education by working with teachers, principals, schools, and other partners to provide training, research, and resources in underserved areas. PEF has a number of programs focused on college and career advancement, teacher leadership, and innovative learning. One such notable initiative is PEF’s STEP-UP Chattanooga program, which works to place juniors and seniors in internships across the county in order to encourage postsecondary education, teach valuable workplace skills, and fill vacancies for area employers. Another popular offering is Volkswagen eLabs. There are now over 35 of these digital fabrication studios across the Hamilton County school system, and these hubs provide public school students with access to rapid prototyping tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, microelectronics, vinyl cutters, and traditional woodworking tools.
The Southeast Tennessee Development District is an organization that provides cost-effective staffing resources to local governments and delivers a variety of programs and services to the region. The work of the district is accomplished by utilizing local, state, federal, and private funds to offer programs in three core business functions, one of which is career and workforce development. This branch, referred to as setworks, aims to help job seekers as well as businesses. A chief offering of setworks is a network of six American Job Centers, which serve 10 counties. Services at these centers include basic skills upgrades, English language acquisition, job search assistance, job referral and placement, and more.
In 2022, Southern Adventist University began a new initiative that delivers critical workforce education and benefits both companies and individuals by filling the skills gap for in-demand jobs and career competencies. The Professional Workforce Development program prepares participants to advance in their current careers while meeting growing employer demands by providing access to online programs that prepare students for industry certifications. Numerous programs are offered within the areas of healthcare, information technology, and professional development.
UTC supports various colleges throughout its campus each with its own workforce development programs. Colleges include the College of Engineering and Computer Science and Gary W. Rollins College of Business, among others. Some of the many opportunities offered include career fairs, job postings, job shadowing, mentoring programs, and experiential learning opportunities. Several centers such as the Center for Professional Education and the Center for Community Career Education offer resources to both current UTC students and high school students alike. In addition to a traditional dual enrollment program, UTC also runs a Challenger STEM Learning Center, which offers students access to hands-on STEM programs through summer camps, team-building sessions, and simulated space missions.
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With the continued growth of manufacturing and logistics industries, along with a steady stream of new residents and visitors to the area, Chattanooga has a unique demand for skilled labor across several business sectors. To meet the needs for a talented workforce, workforce development programs continue to expand to provide resources needed for job seekers and current employees, as well as employers.
According to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, by the end of 2022, the state of Tennessee expects to see 18,000 to 20,000 new jobs from employers. Filling these roles with skilled workers requires workforce development programs to step up and focus not only on training but also recruitment and retention.
A 2022 study published by LinkedIn states that Chattanooga ranks second in the nation for hiring entry-level positions, signaling that recruitment and education measures are being put in place. Locally, a big demand was addressed with the addition of the Construction Career Center, which opened in the fall of 2022. The organization, which notes 88% of construction companies are in need of workers, is open to both high school students and adult learners and aims to have 100% industry job placement for its graduates.
Relatively new to the Scenic City, powerhouse Novonix teamed up with Hamilton County Schools in 2022 to open a new Future Ready Institute at Lookout Valley Middle High School. Students of the program receive safety tutorials, lab training, job shadowing opportunities, and a guaranteed interview with Novonix upon graduation. Chattanooga Coca-Cola is also helping make strides with its five-year partnership agreement to support another Future Ready Institute – the Hixson High School Coca-Cola Institute of Business. This brings the number of Future Ready Institutes that have a branded partnership to 10 and offers students the unique chance to learn from local business leaders.
In neighboring Bradley County, the new Partnerships in Industry and Education (PIE) Innovation Center recently opened its doors to both Bradley County and Polk County students and has plans to expand offerings to Meigs, McMinn, and North Hamilton county schools. This facility brings together business, secondary/postsecondary education, and nonprofit services under one roof to provide students with dual credit, dual enrollment, industry certifications, and more.
In addition to employer and government-led programs, local colleges and universities have established workforce development programs. Leaders in this area have been Chattanooga State Community College, Cleveland State Community College, and Southern Adventist University, which began offering their Professional Workforce Development program in 2022. This program focuses on healthcare, information technology, and project management in order to fill skill gaps.
On top of these new programs, several organizations have been offering education and training for years and continue to pave the way for the area’s workforce.
Chattanooga 2.0 is a cradle-to-career collaborative of Chattanooga and Hamilton County. 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 that brings partners together to align resources and strategic focus, Chattanooga 2.0 seeks to increase equity and opportunities for students, and some recent goals of the organization include facilitating kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading proficiency, college and career-ready graduates, postsecondary education attainment, and a thriving wage for young adults.
The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce has a variety of programs and initiatives that are designed to support the local education system. In addition to its focus on primary, secondary, and postsecondary education, the Chamber, along with the Chattanooga Chamber Foundation, supports several standalone programs to promote and enhance business and community leadership, professional development, networking, and community involvement.
Chattanooga State Community College offers several programs designed to boost the local workforce. Available to high school students is a variety of early college options such as Dual Enrollment, Early College Academy, Collegiate High, STEM High School, Polytech Academy, Mechatronics Academy at Volkswagen, and more. In addition to programs geared toward high school students, Chattanooga State also maintains a workforce development team comprised 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 that are designed to tackle skill gaps, staff development, productivity issues, and strategic planning. Chattanooga State boasts a Child Development Center, which not only provides childcare for staff and students but also allows students in the early childhood education program to complete their observations and practicum hours, as well as other graduation requirements.
Started in 2018, the Office of Workforce Development aims to advance economic opportunities and community development by connecting residents with career openings, training, and educational programs. In addition to general educational and job search resources, the Office of Workforce Development is specifically focused on providing resources tailored to the needs of the healthcare, hospitality, information technology, logistics, manufacturing, and construction industries through resources such as apprenticeships, internships, work-based learning, job shadowing, and mentoring.
Yet another local college offering workforce development resources for students at various levels is Cleveland State Community College. In addition to STEAM camps throughout the summer and dual enrollment opportunities, Cleveland State Community College has a workforce development department that works to train students for area employers looking to fill jobs. Courses in industrial technologies such as welding, PLC (programmable logistic controller), mechanics, and electrical are offered, along with classes on computer and business administration. The department also has an operational excellence division that touches on topics such as leadership, communication training, human resources, and process simplification, among others.
Opened in 2022, the Construction Career Center provides both high school students and adult learners with training, career counseling, and resources for the construction industry. Hamilton County juniors and seniors can participate in a dual enrollment program where graduates receive at least five certifications, and adult learners also have access to certification training, instruction, and mentorship. In addition, the organization offers placement services. The school’s curriculum has been designed by the National Center for Construction Education & Research, and emphasis is placed on a broad and thorough understanding of the construction process.
With a footprint that covers 16 counties in Southeast Tennessee, Northwest Georgia, and Northeast Alabama, Greater Chattanooga Economic Partnership (GCEP) focuses on sustainability growing the greater Chattanooga area. As a major focus area for the organization, GCEP aims to bolster workforce preparedness by helping connect members of the community with career centers, contract and temp firms, colleges, and other hiring partners.
The Public Education Foundation (PEF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming public education by working with teachers, principals, schools, and other partners to provide training, research, and resources in underserved areas. PEF has a number of programs focused on college and career advancement, teacher leadership, and innovative learning. One such notable initiative is PEF’s STEP-UP Chattanooga program, which works to place juniors and seniors in internships across the county in order to encourage postsecondary education, teach valuable workplace skills, and fill vacancies for area employers. Another popular offering is Volkswagen eLabs. There are now over 35 of these digital fabrication studios across the Hamilton County school system, and these hubs provide public school students with access to rapid prototyping tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, microelectronics, vinyl cutters, and traditional woodworking tools.
The Southeast Tennessee Development District is an organization that provides cost-effective staffing resources to local governments and delivers a variety of programs and services to the region. The work of the district is accomplished by utilizing local, state, federal, and private funds to offer programs in three core business functions, one of which is career and workforce development. This branch, referred to as setworks, aims to help job seekers as well as businesses. A chief offering of setworks is a network of six American Job Centers, which serve 10 counties. Services at these centers include basic skills upgrades, English language acquisition, job search assistance, job referral and placement, and more.
In 2022, Southern Adventist University began a new initiative that delivers critical workforce education and benefits both companies and individuals by filling the skills gap for in-demand jobs and career competencies. The Professional Workforce Development program prepares participants to advance in their current careers while meeting growing employer demands by providing access to online programs that prepare students for industry certifications. Numerous programs are offered within the areas of healthcare, information technology, and professional development.
UTC supports various colleges throughout its campus each with its own workforce development programs. Colleges include the College of Engineering and Computer Science and Gary W. Rollins College of Business, among others. Some of the many opportunities offered include career fairs, job postings, job shadowing, mentoring programs, and experiential learning opportunities. Several centers such as the Center for Professional Education and the Center for Community Career Education offer resources to both current UTC students and high school students alike. In addition to a traditional dual enrollment program, UTC also runs a Challenger STEM Learning Center, which offers students access to hands-on STEM programs through summer camps, team-building sessions, and simulated space missions.
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