Last week the City of Chattanooga’s Health and Education Facilities Board approved supporting a new Skill Up cohort in collaboration with Chattanooga State, The Enterprise Center and the Chattanooga Chamber (through grant funding we received through the Regions’ Foundation). The Skill Up program provides job training for cohorts of 10-15 people who are paid while they go through the program. The concept of “earn while you learn” helps solve participants’ challenge of continuing to earn a wage while gaining new skills. The cohort includes residents of College Hill Courts and will provide each of the participants with Google IT certificates. The courses will be taught by Chattanooga State at the City’s YFD center to eliminate transportation barriers and the participants will benefit from The Enterprise Center’s Tech Goes Home program. Many thanks to the Regions’ Foundation for their support of the Skill Up program as well as the collaborative spirit of multiple partners that are working hard to make this happen.

Charles Wood
Vice President of Economic Development, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce