How Tennessee Is Better Addressing Workforce Needs

Overview & Synopsis

It is critical that K-12 and higher education rise to meet employer needs by providing more skills-based, workforce-relevant learning opportunities to students throughout the state of Tennessee. It will take close collaboration with the community and industry for the Tennessee State Board of Education to accomplish its mission of preparing every student for postsecondary success. The State Collaborative on Reforming Education, or SCORE, recently hosted a series of forums culminating in the Future Forward Summit in 2023. The summit convened more than 150 Tennessee business leaders, education leaders, and policymakers to highlight challenges and tangible solutions to ensure Tennessee's education policies evolve in tandem with workforce needs of the ever-changing economy and workforce. Several state board members and staff helped ensure that K-12 featured in the discussion. National leaders who have innovated to solve the talent gap and build workforce pipelines also presented to the group.