MARYVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) announced that the Blount Partnership was awarded a $959,267 grant through the Labor Education Alignment Program (LEAP). The grant is one of 12 that was announced by Gov. Bill Haslam.
“We are very much appreciative of this grant and Gov. Haslam’s Drive to 55 program which will help us continue our focus on building a qualified workforce that is ready to fill the growing number of positions available with our local companies,” said Bryan Daniels, Blount Partnership president/CEO. “We have already started meetings and developing programs between the school systems, community colleges and manufacturers to create work-based learning programs that match training and skills to their current and future workforce needs.”
An initiative of Gov. Haslam’s Drive to 55, LEAP was developed to ensure that Tennessee is graduating skilled workers ready to take on the jobs offered by employers and industry. The program aims to close skills gaps by ensuring that students enrolled in courses provided by Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) and community colleges gain the necessary skills to meet the requirements of high-skill and high-technology jobs demanded by industry leaders in the state.
As part of LEAP 2.0, of which the Blount Partnership is associated, there is an emphasis on work-based learning components, such as co-ops, internships and other experiential learning for students with Blount County companies. LEAP 2.0 provides students with development in advanced manufacturing, automation, electricity, industrial maintenance, machine tool technology, mechatronics, soft skill development and welding.
The Blount Partnership collaborated with Pellissippi State Community College and Cleveland State Community College on this grant for advanced engineering system technology occupations. It also works with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in Knoxville to support workforce development efforts in Blount County.
“If we can eliminate gaps in the skills needed by local manufacturers and other companies and the types of degrees and courses offered by local community and technical colleges, we can strengthen our workforce to meet industry demands,” Haslam said. “These LEAP grants help create programs that tie specific training and skills to current workforce needs, helping more Tennesseans qualify for good, high-paying jobs. This is a key piece of our Drive to 55 campaign to increase the number of Tennesseans with a postsecondary degree or credential to 55 percent by 2025.”
LEAP is administered by THEC and advised by the Governor’s Workforce Sub-Cabinet.