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Southwest, ACT partner to help local businesses and industries grow a skilled workforce

By Victoria Brown 

Southwest, ACT partner to help local businesses and industries grow a skilled workforce

Senior leaders from Southwest Tennessee Community College (STCC), Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS), and city and county government gathered at the ACT Work Ready Community Breakfast event Sept. 28, 2023 to discuss recent workforce achievements.  

Shelby County has received a designation from the ACT Work Ready organization after meeting all the required qualifications needed to improve student and employee skill levels in the local area, making it an official ACT Work Ready Community. 

“We are thrilled Shelby County has received this designation and proud to have partnered with the Workforce Ready Community Leadership Team to achieve the benchmarks for this certification,” Southwest Tennessee Community College President Tracy D. Hall said. “In our role as the “Workforce Solutions Center of the Mid-South,” we are vested in levelling up the skills that students or employees need to succeed on the job. It has been a privilege to be a part of an elite workforce collaborative committed to empowering the workforce, building strong communities, and fostering economic growth.” 

Organizations that partner with ACT Work Ready Communities work to improve conditions for students transitioning to the workforce, adult workers transitioning to a new field, and for those looking to work in a more productive and efficient environment. Southwest has a history of partnering with ACT to align local business initiatives with educational needs. 

According to Amy Shead, associate vice president of Workforce and Career & Technical Education at Southwest, the ACT skills assessment and certification plays a large part in helping area organizations. 

“The NCRC certificate is important for us as a college,” said Shead. “It helps us assist business and industry partners with identifying, hiring, training, and promoting employees.” 

For more information about ACT Work Ready and Southwest’s workforce initiatives, visit Workforce and Community Solutions.  

Pictured at the ACT Work Ready Community Breakfast are: Dr. Joann Massey, Vice President of Operations, Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE); Sondra Howell, Vice President of Talent Innovation and Community Development, Greater Memphis Chamber; Amy Shead, Associate Vice President, Workforce and Career & Technical Education, Southwest Tennessee Community College; Dr. Carol Ash, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development, Southwest Tennessee Community College; Dr. Tarol Clements, Senior Manager, Project STAND, Memphis-Shelby County Schools; Dr. Sabra Bledsoe, Lead Regional Director, West Tennessee, State of Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development; and Bryan Herrick, Senior Account Manager, ACT Work Ready Communities and Workforce Solutions.