TechHire Initiative aims to ready Hub City workers for high-tech jobs

JACKSON, Tenn. — Jackson is now one of 50 communities taking part in a national initiative to prepare residents for high-tech jobs.

“The TechHire Initiative will allow Jackson and other communities that participate a leg-up in order to empower our citizens to be prepared for those jobs and then be successful,” said Mandy White, senior vice president of economic development for the Jackson Chamber.

Through the “CO:de Catalyst” program, theCO, along with partners including Personnel Placements and the Jackson Chamber, hopes to train and place 100 residents into paid internships, apprenticeships and jobs by the end of the year. It’s estimated there are more than 500,000 technology jobs across the country.

Jackson is in the third wave of communities across the county to join in the TechHire movement, which is something tech business owners in Jackson think is great for our community.

“I remember a time where tech jobs were unthought of in West Tennessee, let alone Jackson,” said Austin Thompson, a social media manager. “So it’s really, really good.”

Although the program is still in the planning stages in Jackson, the training will be faster than a traditional degree.

“Health care, banking, manufacturing — these students can graduate programs that would normally take years,” White said. “They can graduate in months and go to work. If we’re not prepared to fill these technology jobs, then Jackson will not really be as progressive as we can be.”

“I think it’s great for Jackson, it’s great for the economy, it’s great for people,” Thompson said. “It gives people something to aspire. The kids in school don’t have to leave and go to California or different states. They can come, go to school and graduate and work here and have a job here where they grew up at.”

The TechHire Initiative is already in Memphis, Nashville and Chattanooga. Through the initiative, TheCO hopes to have 350 people placed in technology jobs by 2020.