Workforce Development & Training

THE OCOEE REGION HAS A RICH TRADITION OF SKILLED, PRODUCTIVE AND LOYAL EMPLOYEES DEDICATED TO GETTING THE JOB DONE. HARD WORK HAS BEEN INSTILLED IN OUR CITIZENS THROUGHOUT GENERATIONS HERE IN APPALACHIA.

Polk County is blessed with top quality training resources that produce qualified, employable and ready-to-work employees.  Below are local training providers that work with our local manufacturers to successfully meet their training needs.

Bradley/Polk Adult Education
Provides workplace classes to upgrade employees’ basic skills, performs job task analyses to identify needed skills, helps existing employees acquire a GED, and helps limited-English workers learn English as a second language.
For more information, contact Zoe Renfro at 423.473.8473.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
No-cost services provided by the SBDC include business plan preparation, one-on-one business management counseling, and financial planning and loan applications.
For more information contact David Hudson at 423,472.6247 or dhudson@tsbdc.org.

Cleveland State Community College
A comprehensive two-year community college offering programs in a variety of business and technology applications and technical certifications. Associate degrees are available in over 40 fields of study. CSCC offers customized workforce training and skills assessments to meet the needs of local industry.  Located on the campus is the One Source Workforce Readiness Center, which has deployed two new manufacturing skills assessment machines designed and built by Scientific Management Techniques Inc. (SMT). The Computer Numeric Control (CNC) and Process Control Assessment Machines are used globally to identify and measure skills in the hiring process  and evaluation of maintenance mechanics, machine operators, industrial electricians, PLC technicians and electro-mechanical personnel. Additionally, the assessment machines are used to identify specific training needs of the industrial workforce.
The center is directed by Rick Creasy, rcreasy@clevelandstatecc.edu or 423.614.8763.

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
This office, located in Athens, will screen potential employees for skills needed by employers, provide labor market information and coordinate training assistance programs that are funded by Workforce Investment Act monies. Additionally, the Career Center offers job placement programs as well as training programs to assist those that are unemployed and underemployed in finding gainful employment.
For more information call 423.745.2028.

Oak Ridge Centers for Manufacturing Technology
Operates the Manufacturing Skills Campus, which offers intense hands-on and performance-based training courses for area industries. More than 25 separate centers provide a wide array of expertise, including ultraprecision manufacturing technology, composite manufacturing, medical health engineering and manufacturing. They also feature national broadcasts on industry-relevant topics via remote electronic hook-up and a virtual training model that reduces traditional cost and schedule barriers.
For more information, call 865.576.7658

Tennessee College of Applied Technology
Programs of study include automotive technology, business systems technologies, electronics, industrial maintenance, machine tool technology and welding. The TCAT at Athens strives to meet the training needs of local industry and will design special industry training for an existing business requiring additional training for its employees or a new business that requires entry-level training for prospective employees.
For more information contact the TCAT at 423-744-2814 or www.tcatathens.edu.

University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UTCIS)
UTCIS is the statewide business assistance and education service of UT’s Institute for Public Service. Staffed by professionals with extensive experience in all aspects, CIS provides consulting and training solutions to help companies improve and grow in Tennessee. The Center assists local manufacturers with new production techniques and business practices, expanding markets, complying with regulations, and much more. CIS provides assistance and training with manufacturing operations, management, quality, financial and information systems, human resources, energy management, safety and environmental compliance and assistance, and LEAN manufacturing. The Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Program (TMEP) is a part of the nationwide Manufacturing Extension Partnership and provides many services, including human resources and workforce development programs in team building, leadership training, communications training and problem solving.
For more information contact Rod Kirk, area solutions consultant, at 615.532.4910 or via email rod.kirk@tennessee.edu .