JPMorgan Chase announces $250K investment to advance more adults in IT careers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 8, 2019) – Today, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce released its Tech Workforce Study and announced the launch of a two-year project, with new support from JPMorgan Chase focused on competency-based education (CBE) aimed at advancing adults towards careers in information technology which will address immediate issues cited in the research report.
“To maintain the momentum of tech growth in the Nashville region and to provide opportunities for more Middle Tennesseans who want to pursue this work, the region needs a clear understanding of the demand for and supply of tech workers,” says Rupa DeLoach, Vice President, the Research Center, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Tech Workforce Study, led by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Research Center, offers new insight into the Nashville region’s technology industry and an assessment of the demand and supply of technology talent. This study also includes projections and analysis regarding the needs of the workforce of the future as seen from industry leaders. The Tech Workforce Study unveils needs not typically captured through standard business, workforce or demographic databases.
To address these IT workforce supply and demand challenges and a rapidly growing industry within the region, the Chamber announced its partnership with JPMorgan Chase, Complete Tennessee, Lipscomb University, Nashville State Community College, and Columbia State Community College.
JPMorgan Chase, which opens its first Nashville branch later this year, announced a major new investment in the region’s capacity to build the information technology talent pipeline. JPMorgan Chase has committed $250,000 in philanthropy to support a cohort of faculty and professional staff from two partner community colleges in Middle Tennessee (Nashville State and Columbia State) as they prepare for, design and implement CBE courses aimed toward enrolling 250 adult learners in credential programs that advance them toward careers in IT. This investment is part of a new $350 million, five-year global initiative by JPMorgan Chase to prepare for the future of work and meet the growing demand for skilled workers.
“It’s exciting to experience Nashville’s amazing economic transformation, but too many of our residents are not sharing equally in the prosperity,” said Brad Bowlin, leader of JPMorgan Chase’s Private Banking business in Tennessee. “JPMorgan Chase is determined to do something about this opportunity gap. The future of work is here and we want Tennesseans to have the skills and resources to succeed.”
“We recognize traditional educational systems are not working for non-traditional students. This collaboration is innovating around how you connect communities whose lives are not always conducive for ‘seat time,’” says Erika Wright, leader of Global Philanthropy in Tennessee. “Further, it’s providing access to jobs in high growth industries which need strong talent. Our collaboration and this initiative are an opportunity to reimagine education and expand its reach exponentially.”
“JPMorgan Chase’s support is key to strengthening connections across business, community and technical colleges and nonprofits with a focus on equity in postsecondary education attainment,” says Ralph Schulz, President and CEO, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “IT is a rapidly growing sector in need of trained workers. This initiative is the right step forward to ensure our region produces a trained and educated workforce.”
As part of this project, faculty and staff cohort members will complete a specialized CBE design institute hosted by the College of Professional Studies at Lipscomb University, a nonprofit institution located in Nashville. Lipscomb’s Certificate in Competency Based Education Program Design provides an online five-course sequence for faculty, staff, and other education professionals. For this cohort of faculty and staff selected by their respective institutions, Lipscomb will host a one-week institute introducing key concepts in CBE program design, implementation, evaluation, and improvement. “As result of JPMorgan Chase’s investment, the institute will also provide opportunities to engage regional business leaders to develop deeper understanding of the skills and competencies they need prospective new hires to master to be successful,” says Nina Morel, Dean Professional Studies, Lipscomb University.
“We are excited to be part of and helping to lead this project,” says Kenyatta Lovett, Executive Director, Complete Tennessee and CBE grant partner. “This is important work and also aligns with Tennessee’s goal to have 55% of the state’s residents hold a postsecondary degree or other credential of value by 2025.”
“We are excited to be part of this partnership and collaboration to provide advanced education for adults to advance into IT roles,” says Dearl Lampley, Vice Pres., Columbia State Community College, Williamson Campus. “This is all about student success and finding ways to work together to build strong pipelines of talent to fill the growing technology demand.”
“JPMorgan Chase’s investment will open new pathways for underrepresented populations to enter IT careers,” says Dr. Shanna Jackson, president of Nashville State Community College. “By creating these pathways, we will be partners together to serve this region and our students and really make a difference. I am grateful and excited about the future, not just for Nashville State but for Middle Tennessee.”
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