THE PROGRESS
See how the metrics are changing below.
The Growth demographic (25-to-54-year-olds) has increased in 2024 but is still lagging behind the Stable demographic (55+).
Preliminary numbers show that the average annual pay for Knox County grew 3.8% from 2023 to 2024, up to a total of approximately $65,000.
The number of employees in computer and mathematical occupations increased in 2024, while the number of engineers decreased slightly.
The number of students enrolled in engineering and computer science programs increased at The University of Tennessee. At Pellissippi State Community College, engineering enrollments went up and computer science enrollments declined.
Good News:
Knox County Schools is expanding its computer science courses across the district following the adoption of a state-wide requirement for all middle and high school students.
This initiative aims to equip students with essential analysis and computational thinking skills—increasingly vital tools in the modern workforce.
Governor Lee proposed the Tennessee Works Scholarship as part of his State of the State address. The new award would cover every penny of tuition to a Tennessee College of Applied Technology and secondary fees for all students.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT) is seeking exceptional candidates to fill two tenure-track faculty positions at all ranks, in the Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), starting on or before August 1, 2025. This search is part of a cluster hire to add faculty across multiple departments with expertise in foundational artificial intelligence research that bridges the gap between human intelligence and artificial intelligence.
Pellissippi State Community College’s Earn and Learn program is an innovative pathway that blends classroom instruction with real-world, paid work experiences. The Earn and Learn initiative is more than just a classroom-to-career bridge — it’s a launchpad for students eager to jump into industry with confidence and skills. Students currently in electrical engineering and water quality technology areas are reaping the benefits. Civil and Construction Engineering partnerships are also in development, offering even more diverse opportunities for the upcoming academic year.
CECS offers exploratory courses in emerging areas like artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity to develop a foundational understanding of technologies and trends impacting the future of work. These courses are available to all students regardless of college or major.
Pellissippi State Community College’s Information Technology College to Career Collaboratives program is open to graduating seniors and serves as a bridge for them after high school and before they begin their IT degree studies at Pellissippi State.
Chambers and allied organizations are also working to create a mechanism for the state to share costs for high-wage, in-demand credentials, particularly related to computing, through legislation.