Workforce Committees

Workforce Committees

Workforce Advisory Committees meet regularly to discuss workforce and education needs in: Advanced Manufacturing, STEM, Construction and Information Technology. These committee members have input on education needs to make sure graduates are prepared and qualified for jobs. They work to develop education- and industry-led partnerships, create pathways and pipelines from secondary to post-secondary to in-demand jobs, change negative perceptions of vocations-related careers, and recruit workforce to Blount County. Email Jessica Belitz for more information.

Other workforce efforts include

    • Tennessee Valley Youth Apprenticeships – partnership between Maryville, Alcoa and Blount County Schools, Blount Partnership, PSCC, TCAT and local industry to provide youth apprenticeships.

    • Spring Blount County Job Fair

    • 8th Grade Career Exploration Fair – 1,500 8th graders attend for hands-on activities with local industry in the Fall; and 8th grade visits to PSCC

    • Blount County Signing Day – students signing on to jobs after high school graduation at a press event

    • Work-Based Learning and Internship Liaison

    • Guidance Counselor and educator industry visits and externships

    • Middle and High School presentations on industry trends and high-need career areas in our region; Manufacturing Academy – week-long summer camp for juniors and seniors

    • College Career Fairs and Networking Events – attend career and job fairs in East Tennessee and will share company information on current job openings with students where applicable

    • Blountareajobs.com – hub for local career and job information

    • Blount Area Jobs Facebook page

    • Blount Area Jobs Instagram

    • Comcast cable commercials driving audience to Blount Area Jobs, including during all college bowl games and national championship

    • Facebook and Instagram geotargeting ads for Blount Area Jobs Facebook and blountareajobs.com

    • Billboards and print ads driving viewers to Blount Area Jobs

    • Recruitment videos for Blount Area Jobs

    • College program ads for Blount Area Jobs

    • HR Focus Group

    • Blount County Library Soft Skills programs

    • Legislative advocacy surrounding workforce needs

    • Arconic Foundation Global Internship Program: provide young adults that are interested in manufacturing with job skills training and internships with local businesses

    • Chamber Workforce staff work with high schools and postsecondary to develop career pathways and provide dual credit and dual enrollment experiences for students

    • Ruth and Steve West Workforce Development Center at PSCC’s Blount County campus