Thursday, December 8, 2011

Workforce and Education Summit

The availability of a skilled, educated and flexible workforce is a key component of Economic Development. To address this issue, the Lewisburg ECD called a Workforce and Education Summit on Dec. 1, 2011 at Columbia State Community College-Lewisburg Campus. 
The W&E Summit brought together industry leaders with education and training agencies from the region including Columbia State Community College, Martin Methodist College, the TN Dept. of Labor and Workforce, the South Central TN Workforce Alliance, the Tennessee Career Center, the Marshall County School System, Spot Lowe CTE Center, Marshall Co. Adult Education and the State Department of Economic and Community Development. 
Leaders of local industry discussed the issues they are facing with the workforce in Marshall County and the skills they need or will need in the future from their workforce. The educators and training agencies described what each currently offers in the way of industrial training and education certification and came away with a clearer understanding of what training and education opportunities they can pursue for the future. 
Topics ranged from advanced manufacturing skills and specific mechanical skills to basic, soft and personal skill developing. Leadership and Team-building were skills leaders of local industry wanted to see more in the local workforce.
All of the information from the meeting was compiled and distributed to the participants and a future meeting is scheduled for the first quarter of 2012 in order to further investigate the crucial link between industry and education/training for Marshall County. The goal is to maintain this open line of communication between the sectors and strengthen the development of workforce skill, education and training for Marshall County.