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Celebrating 186 Years of Growth and Prosperity — December 4, 2024

Together, we’re driving the Greater Memphis region forward, making it a leader in business agility and success. Join the Greater Memphis Chamber in honoring the collaboration, innovation, and transformation that are making Memphis Greater every day.

Register for Our Annual Chairman’s Luncheon

Greater Memphis Chamber

Greater Memphis Workforce Development

With world-class employers, thousands of small- and mid-size local businesses, and an abundant young labor force, anything is possible when it comes to building, scaling, or upskilling your workforce in Greater Memphis.
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Creating a Greater Workforce with Greater Opportunities

We work alongside new and existing businesses to build a future ready workforce that allows their business to grow and thrive in the Memphis region. 

Our people are our greatest asset. We support the creation of a workforce ecosystem that provides training and development opportunities for every stage of the talent pipeline.

It starts with education – as early as Pre-K – and continues through to individual career and skills training and hands-on employer support. We partner with all of our education and training providers to ensure businesses’ needs are met. You don’t have to do it alone- we are here to support you. 

Workforce needs continually evolve, and we are dedicated to helping our members and our regional economy stay strong and future-ready.

Workforce and Talent Fast Facts

We are proud to support a vibrant and growing Greater Memphis workforce. We are a mecca for STEM talent and training programs.

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Education

There are 30 colleges, universities, and technical training institutes in Greater Memphis and more than 100 additional post-secondary institutions within a 180-mile radius. 

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Education

Local institutions include a nationally ranked/recognized law school, medical school, optometry school, pharmacy school, nursing college, dental school, engineering schools, as well as a Carnegie R1 designated university within a 5 mile radius of Downtown Memphis.

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STEM Talent

Within this region we produce over 1,400 engineers and production technicians a year, over 500 computer scientists, and nearly 5,000 health professionals per year.

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Labor Force

The Greater Memphis population includes 11% Gen-Z (19-24) and 43% Millennial (25-44), with 63% being Prime Age for employment (25-55).

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What We Do

For Memphis Chamber members, we are a one stop shop for your workforce needs. Our workforce team has decades of experience in education, talent development, systems change, strategic planning, and more.

We offer virtual office hours with our team to support a wide array of workforce development topics.

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As workforce needs evolve, the Greater Memphis Chamber is committed to supporting new and existing businesses in the following ways. We work directly with Memphis Chamber Members to:

1

Workforce Virtual Office Hours

Chamber members enjoy exclusive access to our subject matter experts on Mondays and Wednesdays, giving members guidance and resources related to human resource management, grants, talent development, and other workforce-related topics. Schedule a time with our team.

2

Untapped Populations

Discuss the opportunities and the value of hiring untapped labor pool talent.

3

Federal Bonding/Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

Our experts will walk you through the process of leveraging hiring incentives, Federal Bonding, and WOTC to build a diverse and inclusive workplace at no cost.

4

Labor Forecasts by Industry Cluster Reports (GMERG Reports)

Benefit from in depth research and rich reports by GMERG. Download this report today.

5

Workforce Boot Camps

Yes! Put me on the list for the next workforce boot camp. These are open to the members and no-members alike.

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Workforce Asset Map

The Greater Memphis Region is home to robust education, nonprofit, and faith-based partners that engage in the region’s upskill efforts. Explore our partner organizations. Use the dashboard filters and service buttons to locate specific organizations on the map. Hover over points on the map for additional details. Employers wanting an introductory conversation to any of these local partners can contact the workforce team at workforce@memphischamber.com.

We ultimately drive innovation in workforce development programs among employers and training providers. We’re the team that gets people in the room to build the workforce solution you need.

 

Additional Support

The Chamber offers additional forms of employer resources, from concierge service delivery by our team of experts to research services and tax incentive information.

Learn More

 

Workforce Asset Map

Get connected to partner organizations and the services they deliver.

Explore Today

Career Development

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Memphis Teacher Externship Program

For generations, students have asked: “Why do we need to learn this?” Greater Memphis teachers who are part of the Teacher Externship Program have the right answer: There is a market need! The Chamber’s two-week summer externship program helps regional employers keep a healthy talent pipeline by bringing high school teachers inside the workplace and demonstrating the knowledge and skills needed to power innovation and competitiveness. Our teachers serve as a bridge between local students and future employment opportunities. 


Apply for a 2024 Teacher Externship

The Greater Memphis Chamber is now accepting registrations from businesses and teachers looking to participate in its 2024 Teacher Externship Program. The summer program pays high school teachers a stipend to spend two weeks with a host company, providing them with hands-on experience in industries related to the subjects they teach.

Businesses interested in hosting an extern or scheduling time with the Chamber to learn more about this opportunity should fill out the Chamber’s Business Interest Form. Teachers who are interested in applying for this year’s program should complete a Teacher Externship Application.

 

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Christine Essary, Strategic Development Manager
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“The teachers can be the workforce advocates and the networkers for us.”

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Teacher Externship: Transnetyx

Follow Morgan Wiley, an Honors Biology teacher, as she expands her knowledge of careers in STEM to help her students discover exciting new career paths.

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Why Memphis Businesses Love the Teacher Externship Program
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Memphis Teacher Externships: Regional One Health
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National Manufacturing Month

Every October is National Manufacturing Month, and the Greater Memphis Chamber celebrates with a series of events highlighting local manufacturers and their opportunities. Over the month, the Chamber organizes tours of manufacturing facilities for local students, tours of schools for manufacturing representatives, meetings between teachers and manufacturers, and highlights the industry in media interviews and in social media posts.

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Employers

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Want the Latest Information About Jobs in Our Region?

Browse through the Greater Memphis Economic Research Group’s most recent report on jobs in our region.

Customize Training for Your Workforce

We work with stakeholders across our tri-state region to build customized training our region’s employers need for their workforce. Our workforce team is ready to support you. Contact Amity Schuyler or call 901-543-3500 today.