Tennessee's Competitive Edge

Tennessee continues to be a national leader in economic growth and job creation, but long-term success depends on one key factor: people. In this tnAchieves podcast episode of At Scale, Josh Brown, CEO of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, and Stephanie Coleman, CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, share how business and community leaders are thinking about the future of workforce development across the state.

From booming job growth in Middle Tennessee to statewide collaboration across rural and urban communities, the conversation highlights how economic development is increasingly tied to education and talent pipelines. Stephanie shares insights from Nashville’s New Skills Ready initiative, a multi-year effort focused on connecting underserved high school students to high-wage, high-demand career pathways through systems change, partnerships, and wraparound supports. Josh emphasizes the importance of flexibility in education and training, ensuring students and adult learners gain the skills employers need today and in the future.

Together, they reinforce a message that aligns closely with tnAchieves’ mission: Tennessee’s ability to stay competitive depends on building a workforce that meets evolving employer needs while expanding opportunity for students and communities across the state.