Tennessee SkillSPAN

Skills State Policy Advocacy Network

Our virtual Fall Convening will take place on Tuesday, November 17th. Click here to register now!

 

 

What We Do

The Tennessee SkillSPAN coalition seeks to advance state workforce policy and investments to create economic mobility for all Tennesseans. 

Who We Are

The Tennessee SkillSPAN coalition is made up of over 40 education providers,

community-based organizations & collaboratives, and chambers of commerce all advocating for a shared agenda. 

View Tennessee SkillSPAN Member Organizations in a full screen map


ABOUT

 

Background

In 2019, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce secured a grant from the National Skills Coalition to bring a SkillSPAN coalition to Tennessee. While serving as the backbone organization, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce will bring together stakeholders from across the state to create and advocate for a shared skills policy agenda, specific to the needs of Tennesseans. 

 

Proposed Guiding Principles

SUPPORT CAREER EDUCATION

Value education that prepares people for careers, is adequately funded, meets the needs of both students and the regional labor market, and evolves to address the changing nature of work.

CREATE VISIBLE AND SMOOTH PATHWAYS TO MIDDLE-CLASS JOBS

Align and articulate multiple paths through courses that will lead to certificates, credentials, and degrees needed to develop a solid career.

 

ELIMINATE BARRIERS AND EXPAND SUPPORTS FOR LEARNER ACCESS, PROGRESS, AND SUCCESS

Invest in comprehensive supports such as financial aid, student advising, and navigational assistance, especially for those from traditionally underserved populations.

 

PROVIDE ACCESS TO SKILL UPGRADE TRAINING AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Create new strategies for skill development, including approaches that acknowledge current skills and are accessible to individuals that need to work while they acquire competencies needed to move up the career ladder.

 

BRING DISCONNECTED ADULTS AND YOUTH BACK INTO SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND THE LABOR MARKET

Develop strategies and supports to lower the barriers to education and training for people who’ve been disconnected from both school and work.

 

INVEST IN REGIONAL WORKFORCE STRATEGIES TO BUILD PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES AND COMPETITIVE INDUSTRIES

Improve collaboration among workforce education and training institutions and work in concert with business and labor to be responsive to different labor market needs in each region of the state.

 

DEVELOP A SHARED VISION WITH MEASURABLE GOALS, AND MONITOR PROGRESS

Articulate a shared vision for Tennessee’s future that includes certificate and degree attainment goals and create a comprehensive data system to identify outcomes and progress in meeting these goals and close the state’s skill and equity gaps.

*These guiding principles are adapted with permission from our friends at https://caedge.org/

 

POLICY AGENDA

Coming soon! 

Our Tennessee specific policy agenda is currently under development. Check back after our November convening. 

 

CONTACT US 

Interested in joining the Tennessee SkillSPAN Coalition? Contact us today!

Connect With the Chamber