Jim Clinton, a renowned authority on economic development in the Southern United States, challenged the Knoxville area and the Innovation Valley to dramatically transform its educational system, it workforce and its economy. The Innovation Valley should be a “Knowledge Economy” according to Clinton.
“We are not just experiencing a workforce crisis but rather a knowledge crisis. We don’t accumulate knowledge and we don’t build up knowledge effectively,” stated Clinton. “We want to move from a culture of dependency to a culture of self-reliance where each of us is responsible for our own success. Boldness, adventuresome, openness, ingenuity, willingness to try new things these are the characteristics of the kind of economy that we have to build.”
Jim Clinton is executive director of the Southern Growth Policies Board. The Board is a non-partisan, public policy think tank formed in 1971. The Board develops and advances economic development policies that encourage dialogue among a diverse cross-section of economic and community development sectors to include the region’s governors, legislators, business and academic leaders.
According to Clinton, since the 1970s the south has progressed at a slower rate than the nation. Per capita income has not grown in comparison with the nation, nor has educational achievement.
Over 400 people attended the UT-Battelle/ORNL and Knoxville Chamber sponsored the event.
Clinton encouraged those in attendance to find solutions to improve on addressing socio-economic barriers, connect education with economic development and business needs and ensure that schools have the resources to be successful.
“I find that people come up with a lot of solutions but not a lot of change. We need to do a better job of collaborating resources and finding ways to involve more people and diversify our knowledge base,” Clinton commented.
Clinton further challenged attendees to meet, exchange ideas and face problems head on by collaborating crossing business lines, divisional lines and sector lines. Making a difference and making personal and financial commitments are also key to improving workforce and education.
Although the Knoxville region is well positioned to capitalize on achieving success with its intellectual assets such as the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Lab, Clinton reminded listeners that to succeed we must dramatically improve the overall quality of our workforce by improving education standards.
“Without education, you cannot have a superior workforce. It’s just not possible. We must raise our standards and stop talking about it and dancing around it. Somebody needs to be in charge and take responsibility to want to change and improve our current status,” challenged Clinton.
The Clinton workforce presentation comes as the Knoxville Chamber is planning an education and workforce summit for March 24, 2008. The summit is being organized in response to a challenge that was issued by Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale in December.
Read Clinton's presentation here.
