See Rock City is making a five-year, $250,000 pledge to The Howard School's future ready institute in hospitality.
The See Rock City Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Howard will provide a significant financial contribution and in-kind commitments for field trips, job shadowing, faculty touring, advisory roles and preferential part-time job availability for students, officials said Tuesday.
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Future Ready Institutes:* Brainerd HighInstitute of Law, First Responders and Forensic ScienceInstitute of AviationInstitute of Entrepreneurship* Central HighInstitute of Advanced Manufacturing and MechatronicsInstitute of Architecture and Engineering Design* East Hamilton Middle/HighBryan College Institute of Leadership, Business, and MarketingInstitute of Innovate Engineering* East Ridge HighInstitute of Engineering and DesignInstitute of Building ConstructionInstitute of Leadership* Hixson HighInstitute of Integrative Agricultural Sciences and Natural ResourcesInstitute of Health Careers and Medical AdvancementInstitute of Business Leaders and Owners* The Howard SchoolErlanger Institute of Healthcare and InnovationSee Rock City Institute of Hospitality and Tourism ManagementInstitute of Robotics and WeldingInstitute of Architecture and Construction* Lookout Valley Middle/HighInstitute of Technology and MultimediaInstitute of Automotive Maintenance and Manufacturing* Ooltewah HighInstitute of Architecture and Engineering DesignInstitute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics* Red Bank HighBlueCross Technology Academy* Sequoyah HighInstitute of Industrial Manufacturing* Soddy Daisy HighInstitute of Media and Entrepreneurship* Tyner AcademyEPB Institute of Technology and NetworkingUTC Institute of Teaching and LearningInstitute of Health SciencesSource: Hamilton County Schools
"We want to be invested in our community," said See Rock City President and Chief Operating Officer Susan Harris at a news conference at the Lookout Mountain attraction before about 50 students involved in the program that began at Howard this school year.
Dr. Bryan Johnson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, said such partnerships "take us to the next level."
He told the ninth grade students that the institute is teaching them a skill - customer service - that they can take with them whether they continue in hospitality or move onto another field.
"Regardless of what industry you go into, the reality is that it's about how well you can serve," Johnson said.
Harris, noting that See Rock City is marking its 87th year, said that tourism is a major economic driver in the region and provides both first jobs and careers for thousands of people in the area.
"With chefs, artists, accountants, marketers, maintenance technicians, horticulture specialists and professionals in guest service, event production and leadership, our team is eager to connect with the students and teachers at Howard," she said.
Howard Principal Dr. LeAndrea Ware said the partnership with See Rock City is "another huge victory for students and faculty" at the school. She termed the pledge "beyond measurable."
"It will help you be the best you can be at Howard School," Ware told the students.
Keith Sanford, the Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau chairman, said he has heard from members that it's tough finding enough workers to meet demand.
"A lot of young people get their first job in hospitality," said the head of the Tennessee Aquarium.
The future ready institute at Howard is expected to grow next year when it includes ninth and tenth graders, with an estimated 85 to 90 students already signed up, officials said.
Johnson said the Howard institute is the first in the school system that focuses just on hospitality and tourism management.
According to the U.S. Travel Association, travel industry jobs lead to higher wages in comparison to those whose first jobs were in manufacturing, health care and most other industries. More than four in 10 workers get their start in travel and tourism, the association said.
Howard also offers the Erlanger Institute of Healthcare and Innovation. The school will add the Institute of Robotics and Welding and the Institute of Architecture and Construction for the 2019-2020 school year.
Future ready institutes offer a career themed-based education through smaller learning communities.
See Rock City also owns and operates the Battles for Chattanooga museum, RiverView Inn, Grandview Conference Center on Lookout Mountain, as well as three Clumpies Ice Cream locations in Chattanooga and the Blowing Springs Farm in Flintstone, Georgia.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.