The fall 2023 semester brought about exciting movement for Belmont’s Fast Forward program, formerly referred to as Jobs of the Future.
The new name better aligns with the program’s objective to train, connect and provide workforce opportunities for underemployed adults and underserved high school students through training and credentials that help accelerate individuals toward securing middle skills jobs.
“Through partnerships and collaborations with other community stakeholders, we can help people transition and flourish – in a fast forward manner,” said Fast Forward Associate Director Bridget Golden. “Through these programs and events, Fast Forward will demonstrate proof of concepts for innovative strategies based upon research and improved teamwork between schools, colleges, universities and employers.”
As a part of its new pilot program with the Business Academy at Hillsboro High School, Fast Forward hosted 41 students at Gaylord Opryland on Dec. 1. The group toured and gained insights from various departments across the hotel including marketing, culinary, human resources, event services and lodging.
“The goals of these trips are to expose students to jobs and careers that offer work-based learning opportunities during high school as well as training and paths to success after high school,” Golden said. Upcoming trips include the Gaylord Opryland and the Tennessee Titans stadium.
In November, Fast Forward brought university partners, faculty and staff together to discuss ways to make workforce development opportunities more accessible for underemployed adults in Nashville.
Participants included the president and chief technology leader from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) - Nashville as well as leaders from Workforce Essentials – a non-profit that provides job training, adult education and career counseling services across Middle Tennessee. The group visited The Branch of Nashville, the Belmont Family Wellbeing program and The Store to see how area institutions are supporting the needs of underserved community members.
“We are excited about possibilities,” said Melissa Thomas, CEO of The Branch of Nashville. “We just toured the TCAT campus and now we're dreaming!”
By connecting leaders from the TCAT – Nashville and Workforce Essentials with The Branch of Nashville and Belmont Family Wellbeing program, Fast Forward is actively facilitating opportunities for growth and learning.
“Education and training opportunities can be fragmented and under resourced,” Golden said. “Fast Forward can provide the connective tissue to bring organizations and people together to help them build their skills and achieve flourishing lives. Successful initiatives will provide a roadmap for how to fill critical workforce gaps in the mid-state economy.”
Through a partnership with TCAT - Nashville, The Branch of Nashville and The Store, Fast Forward will also coordinate several short training programs for adults to facilitate “fast forward” movement into careers.
The Fast Forward program is building and fostering key connections that help advance the work that improves workforce deficiencies on multiple levels.
Future work for Fast Forward includes exploring and leading research on opportunities for students who have earned a career or technical associate degree (Associate of Applied Science) to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree. The program also plans to host a symposium in the fall of 2024 for thought partners on workforce development and higher education.