A local nonprofit organization will launch a tech industry workforce development initiative in the Brainerd and South Chattanooga Youth and Family Development centers early next year.
TechTown Foundation will use a $50,000 grant awarded by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Wells Fargo this summer to fund the pilot Tech Workforce Program. Chattanooga, in partnership with TechTown, was one of six applicants to receive the grant in 2016; 250 city/nonprofit partnerships applied.
On Thursday, city leaders joined representatives from TechTown and the awarding organizations at the South Chattanooga YFD center to announce the pending launch.
“There are tech jobs available right now – today – in Chattanooga,” Mayor Andy Berke said. “For us to have a strong, diverse, and competitive workforce, we must equip more Chattanoogans with the skills necessary to obtain and retain jobs in our tech and innovation sectors.”
Chris Ramsey, interim executive director for TechTown, said the program will accept 20 applicants – 10 from each neighborhood – who must be unemployed or underemployed. Program participants will meet for class three times a week over a seven-week period, meeting at the YFD centers twice during the week and on the weekends at TechTown.