READY, WILLING, AND ABLE: GRANT TO HELP STUDENTS BOOST JOB-HUNTING SKILLS

Northeast State stands ready to give students that edge with a recent $150,000 grant to support advanced technology workforce training opportunities throughout Northeast Tennessee.

The funding is provided through a Walmart Foundation grant, which is managed by the American Association of Community Colleges. It is referred to as the JRWA Initiative, which stands for Job Ready, Willing, and Able. Northeast State was one of only 17 colleges across the United States to receive the award.

The colleges will focus on current and potential growth of jobs specific to their region. They will work closely with local businesses, economic development leaders, and area workforce systems to address the needs of the unemployed. The JRWA Initiative aims to provide more than 5,000 unemployed adults with new skills, credentials, and jobs.

Susan Prohaska, College Transitions counselor for College Access Programs, works with student Tony Boyge. Susan Prohaska, College Transitions counselor for College Access Programs, works with student Tony Boyge.

The three-year grant will be administered by the College Access Programs office at Northeast State. The initiative will recruit new students to Northeast State’s advanced technology programs in the identified sectors to assist underemployed/unemployed individuals.

Students will get help with admissions, financial aid, career guidance, and counseling. The program will also provide additional support to students currently enrolled in the identified advanced technology programs at Northeast State.

“The program will work with students to build their employability,” said Ashley Dickson, interim director of College Access Programs. “This means help with resume skills, interviewing skills, and finding internship and job shadowing opportunities.”

For more information about the grant, contact Ashley Dickson at addickson@NortheastState.edu or 423.354.5209. The initiative will focus on several advanced technology programs, such as welding, electrical, electromechanical, machine tool, manufacturing/engineering, and chemical process operations. Dickson said there is an ample supply of employers with demand for these skill sets in the region. The Tri-Cities, like many areas, is experiencing an aging workforce, which will result in increasing demands for middle-skill labor.

“The mission of the JRWA Initiative is to provide our area industries and businesses with a skilled workforce, as well as to decrease the unemployment rate in Northeast Tennessee,” Dickson said.

Middle-skill jobs, as defined by the National Skills Coalition, are those requiring postsecondary education below the baccalaureate level; they make up the largest part of America’s labor market. High-skill workers possess technical training and industry certification or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a manufacturing-related field. Northeast State’s Industrial Technology and Electrical Technology programs prepare high skill workers for middle-skill jobs that include Advanced Manufacturing occupations.

In addition, manufacturing is a major industry in the Northeast Tennessee region; the area provides one-third of the state’s manufacturing jobs in Tennessee. Recognized as the second largest industrial employment area in the state, it is home to Eastman Chemical Company, Domtar Paper, A.O. Smith Water Heaters, and other manufacturers.

Letters of support from local employers, submitted for the College’s Master Planning process, indicate a need for graduates from the following Northeast State Programs: Machine Tool, Manufacturing, Welding/Metal Fabrication, Combination Welding, Computer-Aided Drafting; Industrial Operations, and Machine Tool Operations. Wright Tool, Inc., A.O. Smith Water Products, Eastman Chemical, and Decanter Machine, Inc., through letters of support for other projects, have committed to support these programs and consider program completers for employment.

There is a continuing hue and cry among FReepers about the lack of value for higher education. I always suspect the hue and cry is mostly from folks that were unable or un willing to receive education after high school. It was for them that I posted the article.

and finally, the link will lead you back to the Careers publication that is in fact the Northeast State course catalog. It contains a full listing and description of course offerings

I have a married couple of 20 year old’s renting from me. The woman wants to get a job better than the one at Wal-Mart. I took time out of my busy schedule to interview her and produce and send a resume. I included several job searches and the offer of a personal reference. I called to ask if there was anything else I could do. She didn’t answer and has not responded with anything; not a thank you, not a drop dead, nothing. I do know there are nice young people. But there seems to be more of this uncommunicative type than ever before.

“Job hunting skills” automatically improve once there are actual jobs to be had.

Get the government regulators off of the backs of American business.

Ban the corporate tax, which only serves to increase the price of goods and services.
(Consumers pay all of those taxes, but the gov’t counts on voter ignorance.)

I do believe that with some exceptions (i.e. STEM), today's college degrees are not worth the paper their diplomas are printed on.

And I speak as one who has two college degrees and a teenager in high school.

That said, I do see value in post-high school training for specific careers. But a 4-year bachelors degree outside of STEM? Feh.

“Job hunting skills” automatically improve once there are actual jobs to be had.”

Thank-you.

All the job hunting skills and experience in the world don’t help if there are no jobs to be had.

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