CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of a workforce development campaign called “Your Skills. Your Future.”
The Cleveland C.o.C. says the goal of the initiative is to create a well-qualified workforce to meet the ever-increasing, local industry demands by providing the tools and resources needed for community members to connect with local leading businesses and establish a successful career path.
“Our improving economy combined with the corresponding decrease in unemployment, existing industry expansion and an increase in new business prospects for our community, has highlighted the critical need for more workers with technical skills to meet future demands,” said Gary Farlow, president and CEO of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce. “Our goal is to create this workforce by educating the community that a well-paying career with a successful future is easily attainable and does not require massive student loan debt.”
The Cleveland C.o.C. says according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, among the nation’s 387 metropolitan areas, Cleveland, Tenn. added the largest amount of new job opportunities over the course of Oct. 2015—Oct. 2016. Your Skills. Your Future. connects existing industry opportunities to community members across Bradley County and the immediate 11-county region while communicating the message that most skilled-trade jobs require only a two-year degree or certificate and little-to-no student loan debt. Many community members from the surrounding 11-county region commute to work for industries located in Cleveland, Charleston and Bradley County, Tenn.
“The reality is that there are immediate jobs available that are lifelong, sustainable careers. We want students, parents and adults looking for a change to understand the affordability of the training needed for these jobs as well as the attainability to taking the first steps to a bright and successful future,” said Bob McIntire, a business leader and chairman of the Cleveland, Tenn. Economic Development Council.
“Workforce development and job creation is one of the most important issues in my District and our nation. A strong workforce not only helps to fill current jobs, but it also attracts future industries to our great state,” said Congressman Chuck Fleischmann. “This is why I am proud to support the efforts of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce and hope the community will be inspired to pursue technical career opportunities that are the backbone of our economy.”
