Ten Counties Launch Workforce Development and Education Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2009
CONTACT:
Joe Barker
jwbarker@swtdd.org
731.668.6402

Ten Counties Launch Workforce Development and Education Initiative

“STEP” Program to Support Development of Megasite

Jackson, TN – Representatives from local government and area business leaders announced today the formation of STEP (Southwest Tennessee Educational Pathways), a college access initiative designed to boost workforce development in a ten-county region. The announcement came as part of the annual West Tennessee Economic Development Summit held at Jackson State Community College.

Modeled after the highly successful Ayers Foundation Scholarship Program, the STEP college access program will be implemented in two phases. First, an infrastructure of mentors will be recruited and trained to assist students in navigating the college admissions and financial aid processes. Secondly, participating counties will work to provide “last dollar” scholarships to fill in the tuition gaps for students after all other sources of financial aid have been accessed.

“The regional cooperation in this effort is unprecedented. We came together to explore ways to capitalize on the megasite and it became clear that improving the area’s workforce was crucial to enticing further economic development”, said Joe Barker, Executive Director of the Southwest Tennessee Development District.

STEP has engaged the Ayers Foundation to provide expertise through analyzing existing community resources, recommending how these resources may be leveraged and aligned, and developing training programs for mentors.

State Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development James Neeley who attended the launch said “I am impressed with how local leaders have come together to address workforce needs. We at the department were happy to be a partner in this effort and support this initiative. It’s a great example for other communities”.

Local governments located in the following counties are participating in the STEP initiative: Chester, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, and Tipton.