Educators
Welcome, we hope you will find this information useful in your mission to help prepare our future workforce. Thank you for your interest and support!
Our youth and our economy’s future is dependant on the skills and knowledge they receive in school. Please review the document 2017 Workforce Snapshot for a look at the projected skill levels our workers will need. There are many resources available to assist our education providers at all levels; Pre-K through 12 and beyond.
Tennessee Career Information Delivery System
The Tennessee Career Information Delivery System is an online resource for students, counselors, teachers and parents. There are interactive tools for choosing a career path, information on specific jobs and choosing a higher education institution. There is also a link to Tennessee’s Pathways which is a roadmap to Tennessee Career and Technical courses of study to assist students, working with counselors & parents, to achieve their educational & career goals. The Tennessee Career Information Delivery System also includes a link to Kuder a tool to help assess your interests, skills, and work values. Sponsored by Edsouth, every student in Tennessee is able to access this planning system free of charge.
Partners in Education
By partnering with business and community members, educators have a support network with classroom programs, internship opportunities, as well as sponsorship of incentive and award programs. The Partners in Education program has already established partnerships for most or our elementary through high schools.
Internship Model
Post-secondary and high school educators may consider partnering with local businesses to develop internship opportunities for their students. The Internship Model we have created is a tool to help in this process. The Chamber is also happy to connect you with business people in your school zone. For more information please contact Ahnna Estes at (865)246-2658 or at aestes@knoxvillechamber.com.
Classroom Resources
For elementary and high school teachers there are two resources that can enhance classroom educational curriculum, the “Newspapers in Education” program, offering the World of Work, and JA’s “BizTown”.
Tennessee’s Career Readiness Certificate
Tennessee has adopted the Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) as a work-ready credential that measures workplace knowledge and skill levels. This is a valuable tool for educators when combined with other assessments in determining a student’s skill level, particularly in the areas of Applied Math and Reading for information. We are encouraging employers to begin requesting CRC’s from candidates who are applying for skilled jobs. For more information on this valuable tool please contact your local Career Center with any questions or requests.
Higher Ed Forum
If you are in some sort of post-secondary training or higher education, and would like to be updated periodically on ways to connect to the business community, please sign up to receive emails from us. Contact Ahnna Estes at aestes@knoxvillechamber.com.
Top Employers in the Knoxville Area
A listing of all of the major employers in the Knoxville area can be found here.
List of Tennessee's Post-Secondary Institutions
For a list of all of the Post-Secondary Institutions operated by the state of Tennessee you can visit the Tennessee Board of Regents website.
What About the Skilled Trades?
The building trades and other skills related jobs in high-growth industries face critical skilled worker shortages where demand exceeds supply. According to a study by CLRC (Construction Labor Research Council) to determine demand for craft workers for industrial construction projects in the Southeast during the 2006–2010 period. Demand for construction workers will increase by 25% increase in the next 2 years. By craft, demand for pipefitters, ironworkers, painters, and insulators will increase by more than 40%. Another area experiencing a tremendous shortage is the energy area. For more information on fields related to energy, industry and construction visit the Energize Tennessee website.
The TennesseeEnergy, Industry and Construction Consortium (TEICC)was created on August 28, 2007, during the SE Skilled Labor Summit in Biloxi, MS, as a partnership between electric and natural gas utilities; nuclear and industrial construction; utility associations; education; state offices; Department of Labor; workforce investment and other affiliated or support organizations concerned with the emerging workforce planning issues affecting utilities. The mission of TEICC is to engageenergy andconstruction industryin strategic, unified, and results-oriented efforts to ensure a skilled workforce to meet future industry needs.
Vols4STEM
Vols4Stem is an innovative resource which connects science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) professionals with educators and students. Specifically, it is a web-based tool which enables STEM volunteers to log on and volunteer their time and expertise with students across the Innovation Valley. Teachers are able to find volunteers online who can help illustrate and apply in the classroom STEM principles that are used in the workplace everyday. Vols4Stem also intends to support other programs with its volunteer base, including Future Cities, MathCounts, Lego League, FIRST, Bridge-Building, Engineer's Week, Science Fairs, JETS, and Science Bowl. The overall goal of Vols4Stem is to inspire and empower more area youth to move into STEM professions, ultimately building a high-skilled, high paying STEM workforce. Area engineers and scientists and the local sections of engineering and scientific societies are the key to Vols4STEM. Click here to see our STEM Resource Guide and visit the Vols4STEM website.