![Students working on laptops in the classroom](/annual-reports/2020/img/preparing-students/preparing-students-01-sm.jpg)
Helping students become Future Ready
For the last two years, EPB has partnered with Tyner Academy through Hamilton County Schools’ Future Ready Institutes program to support workforce development. This past year Tyner students were welcomed back to school with a new learning laboratory at the EPB Institute of Technology and Networking. EPB employees and local businesses worked together to transform their classroom over the summer from floor to ceiling, fixtures to furniture.
“The goal of Future Ready Institutes is to prepare students for well-paid, in-demand jobs so they can succeed in the workplace while driving growth for our local economy,” said Dr. Bryan Johnson, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent. “These partnerships lead to exciting career opportunities that benefit our graduates, their families, and our community as a whole.”
The high-tech learning lab now includes a glass-walled area with computer server racks for project-based learning, a Smartboard that can show information on large-screen displays throughout the classroom, an area where students can use their Chromebooks for computer work like coding and more. Every element was designed to support students as they work to join Chattanooga’s next generation of IT and networking professionals with the help of Hamilton County educators and EPB Technology experts.
“A year ago, I wasn’t thinking beyond high school,” said Tyner student Christopher Hampton. “Being a part of the Future Ready Academy and working with EPB has me thinking about going to college and working in the IT field.”
Students also have field trips to EPB throughout the year to tour our Control Center and Operations Center and learn about our Smart Grid, fiber optics, Solar Share, and other technologies.
![Student building a computer](/annual-reports/2020/img/preparing-students/preparing-students-02-sm.jpg)
![EPB Employee helping students on laptop](/annual-reports/2020/img/preparing-students/preparing-students-03-sm.jpg)
![EPB employees helping student on laptop](/annual-reports/2020/img/preparing-students/preparing-students-04-sm.jpg)
Engaging students in international cybersecurity tournament
As part of EPB’s commitment to helping today’s students prepare for tomorrow’s jobs, we hosted fifteen students from Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) as they gathered to represent Chattanooga in an international cybersecurity tournament called MAGIC Capture the Flag.
Prior to the competition, EPB volunteers led the students in completing a computer coding curriculum. “We taught them coding languages like Java Script and Python along with other technical skills,” said EPB Systems Engineer Blair Brown. “Many of these students had never considered a career in technology before. Now, they’re realizing that they can learn skills that will open many new opportunities for them.”
The competition consisted of solving a series of computer puzzles that simulate the skills required for technical professions. CGLA students competed with schools as far away as Estonia. The event was organized by the Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory to enhance workforce development for technology companies and engage young women who are under-represented in tech fields.