CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A new study says about 51,000 Chattanooga residents could benefit from workforce training, but barriers such as transportation and child care are keeping many from accessing those opportunities.
The report, released this month by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, examines 14 census tracts in South and East Chattanooga, including neighborhoods such as Orchard Knob and MLK.
It focuses on the challenges residents face in finding employment even as job opportunities and economic growth continue across the city.
UTC Chief Economist Dr. Howard Wall says some residents face obstacles that can prevent them from pursuing training or taking available jobs.
“All of these things are just difficulties that, some people just can’t overcome to get the training or to them even to take an employment opportunity that comes up,” Wall says.
The study found that for one in six residents in the areas studied, getting to job training is difficult without a vehicle.
Wall says transportation is a key place to start when addressing barriers to employment and training.
“That’s certainly a place to first look is if transportation is is an issue, then whether, you know, some public transportation can deal with it,” Wall says.
Among its recommendations, the study suggests CARTA add additional routes at every training site near Eastgate Town Center to make access easier.
Wall says expanding access could help ensure Chattanooga’s economic growth benefits more residents.
“It’s part of the the constant struggle of making sure that the growing economy, like Chattanooga has had for a while, you know, benefits as broad a group of people as possible,” Wall says.
In August, CARTA consolidated some routes in the East Chattanooga area and other routes. CARTA was contacted about the study’s suggestions, and a response was pending…