Educating the Workforce of Tomorrow Fall 2017 (One-page brief)

FALL 2017
EDUCATING THE
WORKFORCE OF
TOMORROW
OVERVIEW
In 2014, Governor Bill Haslam challenged Tennessee with a new goal – equip 55 percent
of Tennesseans with a postsecondary degree or credential by 2025. By that time, more
than half the jobs in the state will require a degree or certification beyond a high school
diploma. Currently, only 39 percent of Tennesseans hold a postsecondary degree or
credential. If Tennesseans were to achieve the Drive to 55, new degree holders stand
to gain over $9.3 billion in additional annual income. These earnings would generate
approximately $434 million more in state tax revenues and $312 million in local revenues.
Securing Tennessee’s future
workforce begins today.
Together, Tennessee’s
regional and local leaders
can seize opportunities to
leverage available policies
and programs to help our
students—and Tennessee’s
communities—achieve their
full potential.
Yet a number of obstacles stand in the way of Tennessee’s economic and educational
progress. Although nearly nine in ten students graduate from high school, only two in ten
students meet college readiness benchmarks in all four subject areas measured by the ACT.
While the percentage of Tennessee students needing remediation in the first year of college has dropped 14.4 points since
2011, 62 percent of students still require some kind of remediation before taking on college-level coursework.
Tennessee has responded to these challenges with a number of policies, programs, and resources. This document, which
provides ideas for Tennesseans to take action, is a companion to SCORE’s issue brief, Educating the Workforce of
Tomorrow: Postsecondary and Career Readiness in Tennessee. It will take expanded work to ensure more students
are prepared for postsecondary and career in Tennessee. There is perhaps no more important area of focus for Tennessee’s
communities than educating the workforce of tomorrow.
WHAT WE CAN DO
Regional And Local Leaders
Chambers of commerce, nonprofit, and philanthropic organizations play a major role in connecting business and education
leaders to build paths from K-12 to college and career. Business and community organization leaders, particularly those
focused on building the workforce, can use the Pathways Tennessee framework to convene local leaders, discuss needs and
opportunities, and take action. Leaders can connect with the nearest regional Pathways Tennessee partner or the Tennessee
Department of Education for resources and guidance.
Mayors, county commissioners, and school board members can help build strong partnerships between businesses,
postsecondary institutions, and K-12 schools. These local elected leaders can apply for Labor and Education Alignment Program
(LEAP) grant funding for collaborative projects that address gaps in skills between the available workforce and employer needs.
Employers
Employers can connect with their nearest regional Pathways Tennessee partner to receive guidance in offering internships,
apprenticeships, and other work-based learning opportunities to students in nearby high schools.
Employers can connect with district and school leaders and career counselors to create opportunities for students to explore
a broad range of career opportunities.
Employers can raise awareness of high-demand industry certifications, and how high schools and postsecondary institutions
can build paths to obtain these certifications.
Employers can donate equipment—new or used—to high schools, community colleges, and Colleges of Applied Technology
(TCATs) so students can engage in authentic learning experiences that prepare them for high-demand career areas
Employers can collaborate with nearby TCATs, community colleges, or 4-year universities to better align programs of study
with what professionals need to know in their field of business or industry.