A Roane County student learning on technical equipment beside an employer mentor
Education Matters

From classroomto career.

A growing slate of K-12 and post-secondary initiatives that connect Roane County students to real careers — here at home.

500+
Juniors served each May
~50
Employers at Career Day
7
Work-based learning pathways
60%
TN Promise students who are first-generation
Career-connected

Programs that put students in the room

Whether a student prefers a college experience or technical training, Roane County's industries work with educators to build curriculum, job shadowing and work-study that lead somewhere real.

Work-Based Learning

Cooperative education and internship placements let high school seniors apply classroom knowledge in a real workplace. Pathways include Criminal Justice, Business, Marketing, Agriculture, STEM, Digital Arts & Design, and Health Science.

TN Promise & TN Scholars

TN Promise covers two-year community or technical college tuition; about 60% of participants are first-generation college students. TN Scholars adds a rigorous course of study, a C average, 95% attendance, no out-of-school suspensions, and 80 hours of community service.

Career & Job Fair

The annual High School Career Exploration Day, held every May since 2009, brings 500+ juniors together with roughly 50 Roane County businesses — plus middle school career days and seasonal job fairs.

Education & Workforce Development Committee

Provides leadership and guidance to Tennessee's Workforce Development System, connecting employers with educators and aligning directly with Roane County Schools' Career and Technical Education program.

Students meeting employers at the Roane County career exploration day
Career Exploration Day

500 juniors. 50 employers. One morning.

Held every May since 2009 through the combined support of the Roane Alliance, the Roane County Chamber's Education Committee, Roane County Schools, Roane State Community College and TCAT–Harriman.

A volunteer tutor reading with young students in a school library
Educators & foundations

Supporting the adults who shape the outcome

Career readiness starts long before senior year — and it depends on teachers, counselors, mentors and employers who understand each other's world.

K-12 Programming

Since 2009, 18 organizations have hosted 55 visits for Roane County educators — elementary through college — so teachers can bring real workplace expectations back to the classroom.

Professional Development Training

Keeps the business community current with trends and helps individuals build new skills. Delivered with the Roane Alliance, the Chamber, the Tennessee Small Business Development Center and Roane State, with most sessions earning CEUs.

Literacy & Early Learning

Volunteer tutoring, take-home books and family reading events build the foundation students need long before high school career decisions arrive.

Mentoring with tnAchieves

Volunteer mentors guide TN Promise students through deadlines, applications and the first-year transition — often the difference between enrolling and not.

Every program here runs on local people.

Host a visit, mentor a student, or sponsor a pathway — find the role that fits your business or your schedule.

Get involved