The future of trades: Enrolled, Employed, Enlisted
It was a beautiful afternoon in Cookeville yesterday when the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce welcomed companies from across the County to the Leslie Town Centre for a roundtable discussion over the “evolving needs of the skilled trades sector.”
Representatives were present from:
- White County Schools
- Putnam County Schools
- Vol State
- CHC Mechanical
- D&D Enterprises
- Aspire
- Cookeville Kitchen Sales
- among others
The roundtable served as “a valuable forum for industry professionals … to engage in meaningful discussions about education, workforce development and the evolving needs of the skilled trades sector. Our goal is to foster collaboration, address challenges, and drive solutions that strengthen our community,” according to the Chamber.
The table discussed the struggles of finding and retaining employees, the future of recruitment, including apprenticeships, and the school system’s mission to produce well-rounded grads with financial literacy and work-based learning initiatives.
As a highlight, Putnam County Schools shared its new CTE slogan with the table: Enroll, Employed, Enlisted. The goal is one of those three, and representatives said taking the trade courses won’t hinder a student’s ability or path to college. According to officials, an increasing number of students are pursuing careers in skilled trades.
Discussion Topics included:
- Current Obstacles & Needs in the Skilled Trades Industry
- College & Career Readiness
- Legislative Challenges
- CTE Pathways & Bridging the Skills Gap
UCBJ photo.
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