Dec 11th, 2014
The governors office announced recipients of the LEAP grant. In West Tennessee, the Jackson Regional Partnership will receive $900,000 with Jackson State Community College being the fiscal agent for the partnership.
The Jackson Regional Partnership is a consortium of organizations ranging from K-12 systems, TCATs, JSCC and the University of Memphis. There are also many area manufacturers participating in this program. The hope of the program is to encourage students and those looking for career opportunities to choose a career in manufacturing.
This is a comprehensive program that allows for multiple exit points for careers in welding, tool and die, industrial maintenance technicians and many other manufacturing-related positions. According to Dr. Larry Bailey, VP of Academic Affairs at JSCC, The accessibility of career opportunities in manufacturing will be greatly enhanced with the implementation of this program. It reaches many of the K-12 programs in the region as well as the 9 area TCATs. As previously mentioned, the JSCC Industrial Technology program and U of M will have a much further reach and be more accessible.
The LEAP program will unite educational institutions in a more concerted effort of workforce training. Cooperation across all these organizations will help to improve communications and services to students.
This is a large step for workforce training and will help to make great strides for a more educated workforce and put us much closer to achieving the goal of 55% of Tennessee with post-secondary degrees and certifications, Bailey states.
The recipients of the $10 million grant include:
East Tennessee Development District
Roane State Community College
$970,000.00
Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce Southwest Tennessee Community College
$743,500.00
Jackson Regional Partnership
Jackson State Community College
$900,000.00
Nashville Technology Council
Nashville State Community College
$850,000.00
North Tennessee Workforce Board
Nashville State Community College
$992,037.00
Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board
Dyersburg State Community College
$850,000.00
Smoky Mountain Area Workforce Board
Walters State Community College
$988,000.00
South Central Tennessee Development District TCAT Shelbyville
$970,000.00
South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance
TCAT- Pulaski
$970,000.00
South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance Columbia State Community College
$135,918.00
Southeast Tennessee Development District
TCAT Athens
$946,280.00
Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency
TCAT Livingston
$684,000.00