Automotive Supply Chain Workforce Readiness Program

The Tennessee Automotive Supply Chain Workforce Readiness Program, funded in part by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), is the first program in Tennessee to bring workforce development, education and industry experts together to develop a program customized for the automotive industry and designed to prepare workers for advancement into managerial and leadership roles. 

  • The skills gap is real - 2 million jobs expected to go unfilled due to the skills gap by 2025
  • The aging workforce is real - 2.7 million baby boomer retirements expected
  • The need for effective frontline leaders is real - gaps in supervisory and communication skills are greatest in manufacturing and production

Launching in August 2017 in the ARC Region as a pilot program led by the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UTCIS), the program includes the following benefits for participating automotive manufacturers:

  • The opportunity to work with workforce and industry experts to identify high-potential individuals and good leadership candidates within your organization;
  • Development of a pipeline of  high performing future leaders and managers through a comprehensive training program relevant to the automotive manufacturing sector; and
  • An increase in the supply of talent within the organization by connecting future leaders with continuing education opportunities that will foster a culture of continuous learning, development and growth providing greater value to the company.

This program is available to current and future supervisors and front line leaders in automotive companies across  the 54 Tennessee ARC counties with specific emphasis placed on participation from automotive suppliers and individuals in the following distressed counties: Bledsoe, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke , Fentress, Grundy, Hancock, Scott, Union, and Van Buren.

Program Specifics

8.5 days of training  over the course of 9 months with additional opportunities for in-plant coaching with individuals and/or the team. Provided at a location near the facility, the program provides individuals with an opportunity to network and train with a cohort of other emerging leaders in the automotive supply chain. On-site training is available for a larger team.

 

Readiness table of automotive supply

 

Company Investment

With a value of over $3,200 per participant, availability of ARC and Federal Funding allows UT CIS to offer this training program at a discounted price of $1600 per participant. A limited number of scholarships for displaced workers (currently unemployed workers) are available.

For more information, please contact Tim Waldo or your Solutions Consultant