Workforce & Education
PreK-12 Education
The Chamber’s workforce and education team serves as a resource to Metro Nashville Public Schools by engaging local businesses in the successes of students and teachers.
New Skills Ready
In October 2020, JPMorgan Chase announced Nashville as one of six U.S. cities selected for the New Skills Ready grant, providing a $7 million investment in Nashville over the next five years. The grant supports the seamless transition of underrepresented students from MNPS into Nashville State Community College (NSCC) to earn a credential or degree and enter a high-wage, high-demand career. The Chamber is serving as the site lead and fiscal agent for the grant. Other partners include MNPS, NSCC, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Department of Education, Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Tennessee Board of Regents, Tennessee College Access and Success Network, the Scarlett Family Foundation, and the Mayor’s Office.
Education Report
For over 30 years, the Chamber’s Education Report has served as a community resource to highlight the successes, challenges, and opportunities in Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). Each year, the education report committee selects a special topic for the report, which includes recommendations intended to help the district make progress on its goals.
Academies of Nashville
The Academies of Nashville bring real-world experience aligned to careers of interest to 12 zoned MNPS high schools. Engagement of business and community partners ensure students gain industry exposure, while local colleges and universities provide access to a range of dual credit, dual enrollment, and industry credentials to prepare every student to be college or career ready. The Chamber serves as a resource to the Academies of Nashville by engaging businesses in the success of students and teachers. In partnership with MNPS and PENCIL, the Chamber hosts regular meetings for the Academies of Nashville Partnership Councils which create, evaluate, and maintain a framework for the nearly 400 school-business partnerships.
Leadership Public Education
A partnership between the Nashville Public Education Foundation and the Chamber, Leadership Public Education is a six-month leadership program that empowers individuals with the knowledge and skills to serve in community leadership roles at all levels of MNPS. From January to June each year, the LPE cohort learns about the structures, challenges, and opportunities that impact MNPS.
Early Childhood Education
Chamber staff serve on Raising Readers Nashville, a birth through third grade early education initiative of United Way of Greater Nashville.
