September 21, 2016 – For the second time, a region and coalition of educators has been awarded a state Labor and Education Alignment Program grant to improve workforce development in high schools and higher education. This time, it is in the amount of $983,440.
“Strengthening the Lakeway Links 2.0: Providing a Demand Driven Workforce Supply Chain” funds will be distributed throughout six counties and seven school districts including the three L.E.A.P. 1.0 recipients (Hamblen, Hawkins and Grainger) and four additional school systems with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology of Morristown at the lead.
“Receiving a second L.E.A.P. grant speaks of the dedication and hard work of our Lakeway partners,” L.E.A.P project manager Chris Edmonds said. “The teachers, counselors, CTE directors and school system directors in Grainger, Hamblen and Hawkins counties understand the pipeline of skilled workers begins in the middle and high schools.
“Students graduate with a foundation and continue to post-secondary education, such as a TCAT, to complete a technical training program,” he continued. “This second grant will allow us to double the geographic area served by the first grant by expanding into Cock, Greene and Sevier counties.”
According to the submitted grant proposal, this L.E.A.P. grant will pick up where the last left off – with a few important additions – by focusing on improving six specific areas of advanced manufacturing education. These areas include expanding industrial electricity programs in the newest districts, creating new training programs for precision measurement in all seven districts, expanding work-based learning internships for all students, expanding the area’s advanced manufacturing training capabilities, expanding WorkKeys and KeyTrain opportunities in the newest districts and expanding the Work Ethic Diploma to the newest districts.
This region’s L.E.A.P. grant is a part of the $10 million budgeted for L.E.A.P. allocations by Gov. Bill Haslam in support of his Drive to 55 initiative. For more information on the Drive to 55 initiative click here.
Source: Citizen Tribune
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