Are you looking for new employees? Do you want to encourage the next generation workforce to learn your field, or prepare for a career? The Knoxville Chamber is working hard to build a resource that will include information on available internship opportunities throughout the region.
The database features available training opportunities – internships, apprenticeships, co-ops and mentoring programs – in the region. Employers have submitted the information included in the database and the list can be viewed by visiting the Chamber’s website.
The information available is a resource for students interested in a specific career. It also can serve as a model for businesses in the Innovation Valley interested in starting an internship program.
“We want to challenge local businesses to provide internships and apprenticeships for college and high school students,” says Jennifer Evans, Chamber director of workforce education and development. “We would like businesses in the Innovation Valley to offer at least one internship for college students and at least one internship for high school students, regardless of length. These opportunities will allow students to ‘try on’ a career and learn what it really takes to be successful in that (or any) business environment.”
If your business would like to submit information to be included in the internship database please visit www.knoxvillechamber.com/pdf/workforce/employee_training_form.pdf, or call Ahnna Estes at 865-637-4550.
The announcement of the Chamber’s internship database happens to coincide with the release of the recent-graduate placement numbers of area institutions of higher learning.
“Our May, 2008 graduates in Accounting, Engineering, Logistics and Computer Science all received more than one job offer,” says Russ Coughenour, University of Tennessee director of careers services. “Chemical Engineer majors received the most offers.”
The number of these graduates remaining in state will impact local economic development.
“Approximately 50 percent of this past semester graduates have accepted positions in the state of Tennessee,” says Coughenour. “About 25 percent of that number accepted positions in the Knoxville area.”
Andrew White graduated in May from UT’s College Of Engineering. He has accepted a job with Denso Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc. in Maryville.
“I think a lot of fellow students feel that this is the place to be,” says White, a supplier quality engineer. “I believe a lot of people that I know who wanted to stay in this area had the opportunity to.”
White says post-graduate placement was very important to him while in school.
“I was very competitive in school partly because I wanted to have a job here in Knoxville if one was available. I like being by the mountains and the lakes. I like the people here.”
The majority of recent Pellissippi State Technical Community College graduates are accepting positions in Computer Aided Drafting and Design, Accounting, and Engineering.
“Some of our recent graduates have been hired by Bechtel to service the TVA contract that was awarded earlier this year,” says Carolyn N. Carson, director of placement, Pellissippi State Technical Community College. “For the most part, local companies are hiring the majority of our recent graduates.”
The Chamber is optimistic that the creation of its website database of training and internship opportunities will enhance the number of area graduates making an impact on this region’s economy. The hope is that if students participate in internships here, they will have an even higher propensity to launch a career here.
“In order to achieve the Innovation Valley’s goal of preparing the future workforce, we need to do everything we can to train future workers,” says Ahnna Estes, Chamber workforce development and education manager. “This includes providing students and workers the opportunities to train in the fields that match their interests.”
For more information about the Chamber’s Workforce Development and Education initiatives, call Jennifer Evans at 637-4550.
