Workforce Committees

About the 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