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March 28, 2006
County Mayor Speaks to East Ridge Education Committee
County Mayor Claude Ramsey spoke to the East Ridge Education Committee last night. I liked his message, and his message was clear and strong: Our schools must produce a "trainable workforce."
Mr. Ramsey made a critical distinction between a "trained workforce" and a "trainable workforce." That distinction is important. Namely, our graduates must be able to read, write, and think numerically to be able to adapt to new approaches or ideas in the New Economy.
Twenty-five years ago, I worked and participated in what Chattanooga and Hamilton County are going through today. I was working in Los Angeles twenty-five years ago, and I saw almost every industry retooling and every worker relearning. At the time, my head was spinning as I watched Los Angeles and the Silicon Valley lead the way in high-tech innovation. The schools were crowding with adult learners collecting new skills. But most importantly, the young people and adults were being told they must learn to think critically, read carefully, and write plainly~Mr. Ramsey's message today. These general skills will make a population ready for any change.
Being a "trainable workforce" is really a mindset, one that is ready to learn on the dime; it is a mindset that is flexible and engaged. This is the mental approach of the New Economy. And to provide new businesses efficiency and productivity, we will need to provide an educated public who are eager and curious about learning any new idea.
I want to thank the mayor for leading the way in bringing the New Economy to Hamilton County. Now I want to lead the way in District 8 in preparing our citizens for that New Economy.
~John Bailes,
District 8 Commissioner,
Time NOW for Change
| By wjbailes | 05:44 AM
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