The Nashville Innovation Alliance, a groundbreaking partnership between Vanderbilt University and Mayor Freddie O’Connell, continues its efforts to establish Nashville as a hub for innovation. On April 8, the alliance hosted an event at the Student Life Center titled “Tech Talent at Scale: World-Class Expertise for Upskilling Nashville’s Workforce.” The event brought together distinguished experts and industry leaders to discuss strategies for strengthening the local tech talent pipeline and creating higher-paying jobs for Nashvillians.
Sally Parker, associate vice chancellor for the Division of Government and Community Relations, emphasized that “homegrown tech talent will play a critical role in driving and supporting Nashville’s future as a hub for innovation.” Stephanie Coleman, president and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the importance of economic mobility, stating that “our tech sector is growing fast, but to meet the moment, we must build intentional partnerships that connect job seekers with real opportunity.”
Key Discussion Points
The event featured discussions on several key areas for improvement:
- Scaling tech training programs with employer buy-in
- Expanding employer champions to support program development and hiring
- Exposing talent to various tech jobs across industries
- Creating collaborative spaces for corporate, start-up, and entrepreneurial worlds
Speakers included Jamari Brown from Mayor O’Connell’s office, Stephanie Cafaro from COOP, Clifton Harris from the Urban League of Middle Tennessee, Whitney Staub-Juergens from HCA Healthcare, and Johannah Williams from Nashville State Community College. The event concluded with calls for deeper partnerships between employers and educational institutions, better support for students and job seekers, and more agile hiring practices.
The Nashville Innovation Alliance plans to convene a working group to pursue collaborative ideas generated during the event. For more information, email info@nashvilleinnovationalliance.org.
