From Volkswagen to Alstom, local employers have expressed their concern that they have jobs available but are missing a qualified workforce to fill certain positions.
In an effort to bridge that gap, the Enterprise Gateway Council of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a meeting on ways schools and institutions are working to accommodate local employers, many of which operate in the East Hamilton area, with a highly qualified workforce.
"One of our biggest challenges is that we've got students who are 18 years old fresh out of high school and moms coming back to the workplace alongside someone who might already be in their 30s with a lot of work skills," said Chattanooga State Community College professor of business management Ed Southeard. "These factors can make it difficult as an instructor."
Recently, he said, the technical school worked to streamline its programs into specific tracks comprised of accounting technology, applied technology management and general management with certain concentrations and specific certification programs.
This way of instructing has helped ensure all students get some of the general soft skills some employers find them lacking, he said.
"When I do an online course I can pretty much tell what age group they're in based on the verbage," Southeard said of his students, adding that he often has to work with his younger students on how to write emails that don't sound like text messages. "We teach those skills, which doesn't sound like it's going to put you over the edge as far as having a great employee, but it's important. We're hearing it more and more in the business place."
For the more specialized certifications, he said businesses are often approaching the community college to help develop specific programs or courses.
"Alstom hired seven welders in January but they had to pass a math and blueprint writing test," said fellow Chattanooga State professor Jerry Sterling. "They didn't pass the first time and were allowed 90 days to pass or lose their job. We had them come in and taught them the basic math, how to prepare for and take the test, and blueprint writing. They all passed the second time."
The administration at Chattanooga State is encouraging local businesses to reach out to the school for help with training and certification, he and Southeard added. Internships are also another way to get people into your business that can potentially become permanent employees, said Southeard.
"Maybe you have someone who's taking maternity leave or an opening for a period of time and want someone to fill in - these are good times for interns," he said. "The beauty of this is they go over there and realize that they don't like the company, or the company says thank you but no thank you. It's really no cost to [the business] and you get them three hours a week. It helps bridge [the gap between] us as an educator and you as a businessperson. I think that's where the community college should be offering a benefit to you guys. You can call us and I'll get to work on it."
For more information on the internship program, contact Lulu Copeland at lulu.copeland@Chattanoogastate.edu.