Volunteer State Community College to participate in Sustainable College-Employer Partnerships Initiative with Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce

Volunteer State Community College and the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce have partnered through the Sustainable College-Employer Partnerships Initiative, an effort of Achieving the Dream, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Foundation, and JPMorganChase. The Sustainable College-Employer Partnerships Initiative seeks to create scalable workforce models that will help students find in-demand jobs and help local employers create strong talent pipelines.

According to an article on Volunteer State Community College’s website, Wendi Tostenson, who serves as the president of Volunteer State Community College, was quoted as saying of the partnership, "This recognition reflects the strength of a community that believes in investing in people. Together with the Gallatin Area Chamber and our regional partners, we're building stronger pathways from education to employment, creating opportunity for students, supporting local employers, and developing the talent that will shape the future of our communities for years to come.”

The Sustainable College-Employer Partnerships Initiative has formed eight community college-chamber pairs around the country. Volunteer Community College and the Gallatin Area Chamber have an existing relationship that has set the groundwork for much of the initiative including collaboration with Sumner County Schools, local employers, and community partners to create a talent development network for K-12 and college students into the workforce.

Together as part of the initiative, the college and the chamber will launch an Embedded Workforce Cohort Model, which will align academic programs, employer expectations, and work-based learning experiences. The pilot of the Embedded Workforce Cohort Model will include 10 to 15 students and five to seven employers to create a scalable model that will bring students through college successfully into a career. It is expected that by 2028, this model will serve 150 students in credit-bearing work-based learning experiences, with up to 40 employers.

Kim Baker, the president and CEO of the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce, said, "The Chamber sits in a unique space between business, education, and community, and that’s where some of the best work happens. We want students to see that opportunity doesn’t always mean looking somewhere else. There are incredible businesses, careers, and possibilities right here in our community. This partnership allows us to listen to what employers need, connect them directly to emerging talent, and help build pathways that open doors for students and strengthen our businesses at the same time."

Volunteer State Community College and the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce will receive support from Achieving the Dream and the ACCE Foundation throughout the initiative. This will include coaching, technical assistance, and peer learning support. 

Lenore Rodicio, Ph.D., president and CEO of Achieving the Dream, said, "No single organization can solve workforce challenges alone. When community colleges, chambers of commerce, and employers work together, they can build stronger pathways from education to employment that benefit learners, businesses, and communities alike. Through our partnership with the ACCE Foundation, we look forward to supporting these relationships as they develop sustainable models that can serve as examples for colleges across the country."

For more information about Volunteer State Community College, visit the school’s website.