If knowledge is power, the Northeast Tennessee Valley is plugged in, thanks to more than a dozen colleges and universities as well as six technology centers spread across the region.

The presence of a variety of higher-education institutions and the range of academic disciplines they cover ensures a steady supply of well-schooled workers for employers. That, coupled with nimble responses to new and existing employer needs, has created a strong synergy between town and gown throughout the area.

“Everything we do is about trying to support the community,” says Nancy Brown, dean of workforce development at Walters State Community College, which has campuses in Morristown, Greeneville, and Sevierville, Tenn., and Tazewell, Va.. “We are always developing new academic and continuing-education programs. Anytime something like green energy comes along, we look at how that can be an opportunity for us.”

The college's Center for Workforce Education works with area industries and other economic development organizations to provide specific job training programs, and the facility also works with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development through that agency’s career centers.

“We make sure we hone in on what trends we think have the most opportunities for our area, both now and in the future,” Brown says. “We're called on pretty consistently for information, assistance and recruitment efforts, and so we want to continue to be able to train the workers these companies will need.”

Multiple career tracks also can be studied at Tusculum College, in Greeneville, Tenn., whose programs and services have a $67 million economic impact on the area based on an East Tennessee State University study.

“We are at the table when discussing community-wide issues, and are engaged with the Greene County Partnership, regional chambers of commerce and local governments’ economic development efforts,” says Dr. Nancy Moody, president.

Tusculum's residential-college program aims to offer majors that will provide graduates to meet the needs of business and industry. The college also tailors programs specifically for working adults and nontraditional students in Greeneville and its off-site locations in Morristown and in the Tri-Cities.

Other colleges that continue to expand their degree and training programs include Lincoln Memorial University, which has 12 extended sites in addition to its main campus in Harrogate, Tenn., and Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, Va.. That college's Center for Workforce Training & Continuing Education offers customized, pre-employment and re-training among other services.

The center supports the college and the community through an ongoing dialogue with business and industry in Washington County, the city of Bristol and western Smyth County, Va., says Melinda Leland, dean.

“This dialogue includes working with economic development officials who are attracting prospective businesses, developing new training ideas to support employee development and partnering with internationally renowned training organizations to bring progressive training to our area,” she says.