Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber 2017 Chamber Annual Report | Page 9

PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY PROGRAMS
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING - BECKY HULL CHAIR; HEALTH SCIENCE - MYRA WEST CHAIR; AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY -
DON VIAR, CHAIR
• Pathways to Prosperity is meeting the challenge of preparing America’s youth for the 21st Century. The overall regional goal is to improve the
education attainment level and job readiness of our future workforce by enhancing training,
education, skill development and providing work-based learning opportunities to match the
needs of both targeted and existing industry. 2017 results: The Advanced Manufacturing
Committee increased employer participation 150%. A Mechatronics articulation agreement
between TCAT Livingston and Vol State Community College was completed, and the pipeline
of students taking Mechatronics increased from 112 in the spring to 524 in the fall semester.
The Health Science Committee increased employer participation by 300% and realized a
work-based learning increase from 49 to 272 students and validated the need for a two-year
nursing degree program. The Information Technology Committee launched in 2017, with
employers and secondary/postsecondary education partners meeting monthly to assess the
areas of greatest need. Networking and Cybersecurity have the greatest employment numbers and will be the area of focus in 2018.
Summer Bridge Program
• The Summer Bridge Program is designed to reach at-risk students by paving the way for a successful transition to high school, while providing daily
career and postsecondary experiences. The primary goal is guiding students to a successful future that is available by continuing their education
through high school and beyond. The ultimate outcome is a better prepared workforce. Rising freshman participating in the summer of 2017 totaled
115.
UPPER CUMBERLAND TENNESSEE RECONNECT
TOM BREWER, CHAIR
• The UCTRC addresses the need to grow a strong, viable workforce by empowering adults to complete a postsecondary degree or credential as part
of the Governor’s Drive to 55 initiatives. The UCTRC helps adult students identify, enroll in, and complete high-quality programs while providing adults
with free advising, career counseling, support, and a personalized path to and through college.
• Reconnectors served increased by 97%, from 637 to 1,253 in 2017. Reconnectors enrolled in postsecondary
education rose by 179%, from 95 to 265. The number of graduates increased from 2 to 21, a 950%
increase over 2016.
• The UCTRC staff designed and implemented Pilot Partnerships with faith-based institutions, judicial system
programs, active military and veterans. Partnerships expanded with business and industry, community-
based organizations and with all Higher Education Institutions serving the Upper Cumberland Region in
2017.
UPPER CUMBERLAND
COMMUNITY