Governor Bill Haslam Drops by Chattanooga State to Push “Tennessee Reconnect”
(WDEF) Governor Bill Haslam said Friday, "The reality is we’re not going to get to 55% without reaching out to some adults who are in the workforce now but maybe looking for a better opportunity, and that’s what Tennessee Reconnect is all about."
Governor Haslam dropped by the Scenic City Friday to push his new "Drive to 55" initiative.
He said, "We want to make it so if you’re a single mom with two children and you’re working and you’d like to train for a better job or you’re a guy who’s been out of school for four or five years and it doesn’t feel like you see the road ahead of you, like you’d like to see it, that we provide that opportunity."
The goal of Tennessee Reconnect is to offer scholarships for adults who want to attend TCAT schools. Giving the adults the tools they need to get higher paying jobs.
Governor Haslam added, "Statewide, about 86 or 87% of our people who actually complete, then go and get a job. They are placed, if you will."
In Chattanooga it’s more like 92%. One of the people taking advantage of Tennessee Reconnect is Javier Irizarry. He graduated from Chatt State 18 years ago as a nurse practitioner. Now he’s heading back to class.
Javier Irazarry said, "So I decided to come back and study industrial electricity. Hopefully I can open a business where I can provide those services at a more affordable rate. So Chattanooga State, or the Technical Community College of Applied Technology have given me two chances to become a better man, to do better. I am 48 years old. I am a good example of what this program can do for you."
But it’s not just the students who are excited.
Bill Kilbride serves as President and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. He said, "This is something that we have to embrace, completely and totally and without reservation."
If you’d like to learn more about Tennessee Reconnect, click here.
Governor Haslam dropped by the Scenic City Friday to push his new "Drive to 55" initiative.
He said, "We want to make it so if you’re a single mom with two children and you’re working and you’d like to train for a better job or you’re a guy who’s been out of school for four or five years and it doesn’t feel like you see the road ahead of you, like you’d like to see it, that we provide that opportunity."
The goal of Tennessee Reconnect is to offer scholarships for adults who want to attend TCAT schools. Giving the adults the tools they need to get higher paying jobs.
Governor Haslam added, "Statewide, about 86 or 87% of our people who actually complete, then go and get a job. They are placed, if you will."
In Chattanooga it’s more like 92%. One of the people taking advantage of Tennessee Reconnect is Javier Irizarry. He graduated from Chatt State 18 years ago as a nurse practitioner. Now he’s heading back to class.
Javier Irazarry said, "So I decided to come back and study industrial electricity. Hopefully I can open a business where I can provide those services at a more affordable rate. So Chattanooga State, or the Technical Community College of Applied Technology have given me two chances to become a better man, to do better. I am 48 years old. I am a good example of what this program can do for you."
But it’s not just the students who are excited.
Bill Kilbride serves as President and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. He said, "This is something that we have to embrace, completely and totally and without reservation."
If you’d like to learn more about Tennessee Reconnect, click here.
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