Highlands Pathways

In June 2012, Tennessee joined the Pathways to Properity Network - a six state consortia with the common goal of ensuring more youth complete high school and attain a postsecondary credential with strong currency in today's labor market. This sought-after membership came in response to the Pathways to Prosperity report, which was published in February 2011 by the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
 
The Tennessee state network (Tennessee Pathways) was formed in December 2012 with the creation of the State Planning and Implementation Team and the identification of two pilot regions in Tennessee: Upper Cumberland and Southeast.
 
The mission of Tennessee Pathways is to provide Tennessee students rigorous academic/career pathways, which are linked to economic and labor market needs and trends.
 
Highlands Pathways

The overall regional goal is to improve the education attainment level and job readiness of our future workforce by enhanced training, education, skill development, and providing work based learning opportunities to match the needs of targeted industries and existing industry. This includes but is not limited to:

 
  • Improving the quality of life in the Upper Cumberland by having an industry base which provides economic opportunity for its citizens.
  • Assuring that existing regional industry base has the available talent pool to meet its needs for sustaining and growing its activities while remaining in the Upper Cumberland Region
  • Demonstrating the ability to meet the needs of employers as a recruiting tool for new industry entering the Upper Cumberland Region.
  • Provide academic/career exploration for students through academic career coach positions beginning with 7th grade students through post-secondary education, increasing student access each year.
  • Engage regional stakeholders in advancing TN pathways mission and vision in the Upper Cumberland Region, ensuring alignment to local priorities and strategies.
  • Conduct an annual assessment of regional labor force needs and determine requirements for new pathways creation based on assessments.
  • Establish parental and community engagement methodologies designed to inform and create a culture of understanding and support of the pathways work.
  • Partner with state leadership team to advance the work and to maintain communication with statewide pathways strategies.
Advanced Manufacturing Pathway
  • An employer sub-committee and an education sub-committee were established to address Pathways to Prosperity goals, to provide input, to ensure accuracy of information and timely completion of all deliverables.
  • The employer sub-group developed an inventory matrix to document jobs and skills required by employers in the region. The matrix has been a tool for usage by the full committee for various purposes including but not limited to assessment of skill gaps, curricula development, academic and career coaching of students.
  • A Postsecondary Education sub-group was formed to establish Pre-Engineering articulation agreements between Nashville State Community College and Tennessee Tech University. 
  • A Postsecondary Education sub-group has been addressing action steps to create transfer agreements between the TN College of Applied Technology and Community Colleges in the region.
  • Career Exploration Modules were developed in collaboration with the State Department of Education and are introduced to 7th grade students each school year. The modules introduce students to the Pre-Engineering/Advanced Manufacturing and provide hands on activities for students to explore this career.
  • Tasks written by area employers and aligned to TN State Standards are taught to 8th grade students in all content areas. Videos have been produced that introduce the tasks to students.
 
Health Science Pathway
  • The Health Science Committee formed employer and education sub-committees to capture the essential elements for a true assessment of assets, areas of opportunity and action steps to create this seamless pathway.
  • Sub-Committees work independently of each other and report out during bi-monthly committee meetings. Sub-committees review their work with the other sub-committee for input.  Employer sub-committee captured the employer job types, skills, education level and annual job openings by job type and gaps.  Education sub-committee reviewed and formed decisions regarding ways to address gaps based on employer data.
  • Meeting the needs of employers, collaborating with school districts and post-secondary education, offering career exposure, awareness and immersion for students and informing parents are vital aspects of this work and are at the core of the this body of work that will progress each year.
  • A Postsecondary Education sub-group was formed to establish an RN Associates Degree at Volunteer State at Livingston to create a seamless nursing pathway from TCAT to Vol State to TTU.  
  • Career Exploration Modules were developed in collaboration with the State Department of Education and are introduced to 7th grade students each school year. The modules introduce students to Health Science careers and provide hands on activities for students to explore this career.
  • Tasks written by area employers and aligned to TN State Standards are taught to 8th grade students in all content areas. Videos have been produced that introduce the tasks to students.
 
Information Technology Pathway
  • The I.T. Pathway Subcommittee is made up of representatives from K-12 schools, postsecondary institutions, and employer partners. 
  • This subcommittee regularly reviews labor market information for the I.T. career sector, surveys local employers to identify workforce needs and existing skills gaps, and works to ensure education and training programs align with employer needs.
  • Due to the work of this committee, the I.T. program of study and dual enrollment opportunities offered at the K-12 level have been expanded to include Cyber Security and Networking – both of which were identified as growing areas of the industry among our local employers. 
  • I.T. Dual Enrollment opportunities in one or more of the following focus areas are offered at partner school-districts:
    • Cyber Security
    • Networking
    • Coding
    • Web Design
Education Pathway