Forty-three students from Tyner Academy and Central High School participate in a facility tour at Roadtec
Tim Lewis explains the manufacturing process for an asphalt paving machine
Students enjoy the animated welding simulation experience during their recent facility tour of Roadtec
Seventeen junior and high school students from Brainerd High School tour EPB
Brainerd High School students speak with EPB employees to gain insight on potential career opportunities and training within the company
A new program launched this year by the Education and Workforce Development division of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce seeks to highlight industry opportunities to local high school juniors and seniors by providing facility tours of companies and organizations in Hamilton County. Students were able to tour and speak with employees at two local companies: Roadtec and EPB.
Area employers look at these tours as an opportunity to impact students and their future career paths in a meaningful way, while educating the students of work that can be done right in their backyards.
“One of the most important decisions we make at Roadtec is hiring," said Tim Lewis, director of operations for Roadtec. "It can be challenging to find the right candidate with the right qualifications for the job. Opening up our plant to these students begins to address our future workforce needs by giving them insight into what we are looking for in our facility. Our hope is that a few of these students might be led to a career path here at Roadtec.”
Mr. Lewis guided the students through the offices and plant at Roadtec’s Chattanooga plant. The students received first-hand information on the work being done, the careers available at the facility, and the credentials and/or certifications needed to obtain those positions.
Ken Jones, manager of Fiber Designs at EPB, notes the impact of these tours not just for the students but for businesses, as well.
“These type of activities allow companies to meet and work with some of the brightest and most intelligent young talent within our community," said Mr. Jones. "We have to find creative ways to inspire entrepreneurial thinking, promote the quality of our companies, and recruit and retain our community’s top talent to build a better Chattanooga.
“I view this as more of a job shadowing opportunity. We aren’t showing off the buildings, we are providing kids with an opportunity to see people in their everyday work life.”
The Chattanooga 2.0 movement, which has been making waves in education reform in Hamilton County, released a report last fall focusing on strategies to support a cradle to career pipeline in our community. The report highlighted the benefits of creating seamless pathways between high school and postsecondary that support students learning earlier about career opportunities in the community and the credentialing path to a job in their desired field.
“We are focused on supporting quality education to all students in Hamilton County and providing each student a pipeline to college and career," said Jared Bigham, executive director of Chattanooga 2.0. "The Chamber’s new facility tour program is another step forward in creating these pathways, ensuring that students have the vision, support, and resources to pursue degrees and certifications, which can connect them with good jobs and a meaningful career. For our community, this is a great tool for industry recruitment and economic development. By preparing our students, we support our local industry with the highest caliber workforce to help build the smartest community in the South.”
The Chamber hopes to expand this program into other industries and facilities and continue to provide more students the opportunity to match with potential career paths in the community.