Siemens' President and CEO George Nolen had an editorial in the Washington Business Journal recently describing how his company will need young people who are well educated in math and science, yet does not see that population growing to the numbers that the market requires.
"Strengthening America's commitment to math and science is a critical business issue that transcends quarterly results. Over the next five years, the demand for scientists and engineers in this country is expected to outstrip the overall growth rate for other occupations by at least 70 percent. Yet to date, as a nation, we are falling far short in preparing the next generation of Americans for these critical jobs."
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen delivered his State of the State Address Monday night and one of his focuses in both his budget and his speech was education.
From the Tennessean:
"Gov. Phil Bredesen proposed $287 million in new education spending in his budget proposal but warned in his State of the State speech on Monday that prudent fiscal decisions must be made amid economic uncertainty.
"His $27.9 billion budget next fiscal year includes lowering the grade point average for returning college students to keep their lottery scholarships — from 3.0 to 2.75 — and using $200 million in lottery reserves to help low-income students pay college tuition."
See Bredesen's budget and read his State of the State address.
Note: This column by Mike Edwards, President and CEO, Knoxville Chamber, was printed in the Knoxville News Sentinel
Workforce Development: what does it mean? In a nutshell, workforce development is about building the quantity and quality of our labor supply to meet the demand for labor. It is a simple enough concept but the steps in achieving that balance are loaded with undertones of politics and serious culture change.
Why should you care? Well, your future and your family’s future depend on it. Your children’s future is directly tied to the knowledge, skills and abilities they have when they leave high school. The health of our economy is a result of a knowledgeable, skilled workforce. In order for our economy to function and grow, we need doctors, nurses, electricians, teachers, truck drivers, customer service representatives, engineers, pilots…you get the picture. The financial security of retirees is also directly tied to the economy, and thus a quality workforce.
So how do we improve the quality of our workforce? Well, we need to ensure that more students are exiting high school with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workplace or in college. The same goes for students leaving college – they need to have employable skills that are transferable across industries. Educators need to know what those skills are and be able to teach them effectively. Businesses need to expand opportunities for internships and apprenticeships. We need to focus on early career development and the importance of science and math in today’s economy.
We should inform parents and the community as a whole about the benefits of an education and change any negative attitudes towards vocational and technical careers. Welders and pipe-fitters make an extremely good living today and companies are fighting each other for those skilled workers. We need to find ways to attract quality workers to our area and figure out how to keep our local university and college graduates here. And let’s not forget the expertise and experience of our soon-to-be retired or retired workforce. We need their help and we should utilize their talents to prepare the up and coming workforce.
Bottom line is that there is no silver bullet that will solve everything and there is no one person or organizations that can do it alone. Mayor Ragsdale has challenged the Knoxville Chamber to organize a summit where all of these issues are addressed. We will not leave the summit with “the solution,” but the objective is to leave with a game plan for each issue.
However, before we begin, we must agree on our goals. “Do we all agree that students need to improve math skills? If so, then how?” Or, “Do we all agree that effective teaching is critical to a student’s success? If so, then how do we help teachers become more effective?”
These are matters that we - as parents, students, teachers, community members, business leaders and politicians - must decide together. The summit will provide us with a forum to do this. So why should you care? Your future depends on it.
This weekend, the Knoxville News Sentinel carried a column by Don Barkman, president of the Business Center, who opined that schools and parents need to work together to overhaul the way that the youth learn.
He notes that the success of the educational system has a direct impact on the economic/business system.
"Global competitiveness requires a competent work force. Employers are one of the customers of the education system whose product is an educated citizenry/work force. That system should produce citizens who know pertinent facts, apply fundamental skills (4Rs) and creative thinking to new experiences, achieve productive results and establish positive interpersonal relationships."
Barkman suggests that parents and educators of the youngest students need to establish successful learning habits for students to meet that level of competency as young adults.
"To solve a problem requires addressing the root cause. In this case, that involves the processes employed by the suppliers of the raw material (students) — parents and the elementary schools ... The root cause is a flawed educational process. Teachers at all levels find it difficult to draw students’ attention away from entertaining distractions to focus on the nitty-gritty skills of life."
Barkman recommends emphasizing practical skills and experience that students will need as adults rather than more abstract knowledge.
"Strip away the needless memorization of facts that never last into adulthood. Replace them with everyday skill sets like reading a loan application and planning a nutritious meal, and assessment makes more sense to everyone ... On the business side of the education equation, local firms can band together to become “foster firms” to schools to bring more support and real-life connections into the classroom."
Read 'State’s education process needs big changes to make graduates ready for workforce'
The Knoxville News Sentinel this weekend discussed in greater detail the Innovation Valley Inc. partnership that was announced last week. The stories outlined the plans and goals of the new group.
Economic development goals include $3.1 billion in new- and expansion-project capital investment, 30,000 jobs created (direct and indirect), 19,000 existing company jobs added, 2,750 technology related jobs created, and 200 existing-industry headquarter visits.
Education and workforce development goals include raising the area-wide graduation rate to 90 percent, adding 12 new technology curriculum offerings at the high-school level and adding 16 curriculums at the University of Tennessee and other local education institutions.
The Tennessee Board of Education today voted to raise the standards for Tennessee high school students to graduate.
These standards include additional math and science courses, as well as changing policies in physical education, foreign languages and other requirements.
The Board also voted to discontinue the Gateway exams and instead implemented end-of-year tests in key subject areas.
The USA Today had an interesting article this week detailing the results of a poll which analyzed business leaders' thoughts on today's college graduates.
"Too many policymakers and educational leaders are focused on the tests rather than on what is really important: whether students are learning what they need to know," Roberts Jones, president of Education & Workforce Policy, a consulting firm based in Alexandria, Va. told the USA Today.
Of of the poll's findings: 57 percent said half or fewer of today's college graduates have the knowledge necessary to advance in today's workplace. However. 65 percent say that most college graduates have the skill set to succeed in entry-level positions.
According to the business leaders polled, the skills most lacking in this group are global knowledge, self-direction, and writing.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development mentioned the launch of the new Innovation Valley Inc. program in their weekly newsletter.
Yesterday, the Knoxville Chamber released a story detailing a new partnership called Innovation Valley Inc., which was developed to help build regional development. It will connect six local agencies and help maximize their development efforts.
Read the Knoxville Chamber story
From the Knoxville News Sentinel:
"The work of Innovation Valley 'will include the traditional blocking and tackling of economic development - business recruitment and retention. But one of the strongest themes will be work force development,' Thom Mason, president and CEO of UT-Battelle LLC, said. 'Work force development is the real key to economic development.'"
Read the story, "Jobs Now! work to continue in new partnership"
From the Daily Times:
"Matt Murray, a professor of economics at the University of Tennessee and chairman of the Economic Development Board of Blount County, said Innovation Valley Inc. recognizes the workforce development needs East Tennessee will have if it plans to grow technology-oriented businesses in this area.
"'These businesses require a skilled workforce and continuing education,' Murray said."
Read the story, "New regional development program launched".
The Public School Forum released three videos promoting academic excellence and raising standards for Tennessee's students. These will soon be television commercials.
Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt was one of the highlighted speakers.
This is the second in a three-commercial set. The final video will be posted soon. The previous video can be found here.
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