skip to main content
Search

Stay current with updates on our cyber incident page.

Annual open house, career fair highlights Southwest’s capabilities and strengths

By Lynn Maples

Guest speaker and moderator William H. Gary engaged attendees during the Workforce Forum, spotlighting industry partners and students providing testimonials about their experiences during summer boot camps.
Guest speaker and moderator William H. Gary engaged
attendees during the Workforce Forum, spotlighting
industry partners and students providing testimonials
about their experiences during summer boot camps.

Southwest Tennessee Community College has one of the best infrastructures in the country, according to one of the nation’s leading workforce development leaders. William H. Gary, Sr. of William Gary Consulting, LLC shared his observation to a room of Mid-South business leaders during the April 18, 2024 Second Annual Southwest Workforce Solutions Center Open House and Career Fair.

“Let the secret be known,” he said of Southwest. “Because I will share what I’ve experienced here in Cincinnati.” There, he was appointed by the governor to head the Ohio Workforce League, which works with statewide business organizations and state leaders to address challenges and develop innovative solutions to help more adults learn new skills to compete in a technology-driven economy.

During the event’s public forum, Gary pointed to Southwest's partnerships with companies such as Memphis Gas Light & Water, Stryker Corp., and Atlantic Track & Turnout Co., each having sponsored a boot camp focused on their industry. The boot camps allow area high school students to experience firsthand the responsibilities and capabilities needed to land a job at their companies. He commended them on embracing the vital role of early education in preparing students for the workforce.

Aiden Gibson, Kabreyia Wilson and Jayden Hunting (front row) prepare to sign their NC(3) commitment letters as President Tracy D. Hall and Saluqi cheerleader Brianna Cole cheer them on. 
Aiden Gibson, Kabreyia Wilson and Jayden Hunting (front row)
prepare to sign their NC(3) commitment letters as
President Tracy D. Hall and Saluqi cheerleader Brianna Cole
cheer them on. 

“During the boot camp, I learned there is a blending of skills and knowledge needed to do a job,” said Saajid Hanetite from Houston High School. “I was able to realize how things are made and the process it takes to create them.”

Hanetite was joined by Whitehaven High School students Cody Beam and Angel Till, who each shared their experiences and the benefits of participating in the boot camps. When asked about the takeaways from the boot camps, each student pointed to having a better understanding of what is needed to do a job and the pathway to get there.

“I’m now able to determine between workforce training or a college degree, and I can have both here at Southwest,” Till said.

Beam agreed. “I have a better direction of where to go.” 

This year’s theme of “Igniting the Workforce: Building Pipelines and Pathways for Career Success” was echoed by partners. David DeLancey, Jr. with Stryker Corp., said working with Southwest has allowed the company to build a pipeline of employees for the future. 

“We’ve tried everything to find employees,” said Angela Massey with Atlantic Track and Turnout Co. “We understand that we either need to build talent or buy talent. With Southwest, we’re able to upskill employees while tapping into a future workforce.” 

Throughout the day, more Mid-South employers were able to meet with potential workers during the annual Career Fair. Tours of the campus, the mobile career exploration labs, and demonstrations of the College’s curriculum were also available.

The event coincided with the National Letter of Intent Signing Day sponsored by the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3). This is when high school students interested in pursuing technical education careers commit to attending an institution. Southwest is honored to have three students sign up to attend: Aiden Gibson and Kabreyia Wilson from Millington Central High School and Jayden Huntington from Collierville High School.