PRESS RELEASE
South Central Tennessee Workforce Board _ #8 Public Square, 2nd Floor _ Columbia, TN 38401
Phone: (931) 375-4201 Fax: (931) 381-7643
For Immediate Release
Date: February 22, 2010
Contact: Paige Liggett
Phone: (931) 375-4209
Fax: (931) 381-7643
Breakfast Brainstorm comes to Lawrence County
Wednesday, February 10th, was the morning for area business owners and public officials to meet at the “Breakfast Brainstorm” meeting hosted by the South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance. Discussion began from Royce Neidert, Career & Technical Education Director for Lawrence County Schools, explaining the “Project Lead The Way” program. Project Lead The Way is completely about teaching and learning. The hands-on, project and problem-based PLTW® approach adds rigor to traditional technical programs and relevance to traditional academics. For students interested in engineering, biomechanics, aeronautics, and other applied math and science arenas, PLTW® is an exciting portal into these industries.
Lori Magee and Katie Bergin, JTG-Jobs for TN Graduates instructors for Lawrence County, both spoke about each of their programs and activities in which their youth participate. The JTG program was brought to Lawrence County this past fall and has had a total of 46 students enrolled in the program to date. JTG students undergo a comprehensive curriculum promoting personal and employability skills that meet the needs of today's employers.JTG graduates have realistic expectations of the workplace, develop good work habits and know how to learn and perform on the job.“It is really great to see how far these youth have come in such a short period of time. At first, some didn’t even know how to balance a checkbook” explained Bergin.
Lawrence County High School student, Dara Smith, was recognized as being selected to attend the prestigious Tennessee Governor’s Academy (TGA) for Mathematics and Science. She has joined an elite gifted group of 30 youth chosen from across the state to attend for their Junior and Senior years in Knoxville. This is a tremendous achievement and is a testament to the educational system of Lawrence County.
For more information about Project Lead The Way, JTG, or the TGA programs contact your local high school guidance counselor.
The group also reviewed new regional training opportunities that are available and examined the possibility of expanding them in the future.
The next “Breakfast Brainstorm” meeting will be held March 10th, 8:00am at the TN Career Center in Pulaski. For more information about the South Central TN Workforce Alliance and the TN Career Center in Lawrenceburg, go to:
Photo: Katie Bergin, JTG instructor, spoke to the crowd about her program at Loretto High School and Summertown High School.
South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, age, mental or physical activity, veteran status or national origin in educational and employment opportunities. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. WIA/LWIA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Any inquiries and/or complaints should be directed to the Equal Opportunity Officer, South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance, #8 Public Square, 2nd Floor, Columbia, TN 38401. Funding is provided under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
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