School Engagements Strengthen Workforce Development Pipeline
On May 8, TVA teams from across the Valley region joined elected officials, educators, industry partners and hundreds of students at the Be Pro Be Proud Draft Day event in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world career pathways, the event brought together high school students, graduating seniors and regional employers for a full day of exploration and connection.
Draft Day featured a Career Expo and Conversations Zone, where students interacted with real-world professionals.
During the event, students from grades 9–12 met with local companies, asked questions about career fields and shared their resumes directly with employers.
TVA highlighted a diverse range of skilled career opportunities and the mission-critical work taking place across the region. Transmission was one of several groups that gave students a close-up look at the scale and importance of the work behind delivering power to millions of people.
“We are honored to partner with the Tennessee Chamber and the Be Pro Be Proud initiative as we progress forward in America’s energy future,” Ashley Donoho, Gallatin Fossil Plant manager, said. “This event allows us to open doors for our future workforce within the boundaries of the Valley region and gives rising seniors a glimpse of what TVA is, and what opportunities exist that we can offer through our union partnership via their apprenticeship programs.”
Heath Woodard, a Telecom and Substation Construction electrician, led career conversations discussing utility work, required training and long-term career opportunities in the energy sector.
“Some people like me never knew there were other options out there besides going to college for a degree,” Woodard said. “It’s important for us as a public utility to get out into communities and explain the benefits of becoming a highly skilled union trade worker.”
Gallatin Fossil Plant employees introduced younger audiences to opportunities within generation and plant operations, as well as the wide range of roles needed to run a reliable power system.
At TVA’s expo table, Josh Kennedy and Beth Yordy welcomed students, answered questions and shared information about TVA career opportunities and the enterprise’s broader role in supporting education and workforce development across the region.
“It’s important that we’re helping younger generations understand what it means to get into Trades and Labor,” Woodard said.
TVA’s participation demonstrated the importance of early career engagement and the long-term value of partnerships with schools.
While serving to strengthen TVA’s future workforce pipeline, the event also helped students learn about exciting career opportunities as they prepare for life after graduation.
“TVA is very similar to a vast majority of the American industrial landscape, in that we’re seeing a growing demand in highly skilled jobs,” Donoho said. “Investing in talent is key to meeting higher load demands and developing long-term economic development.
“The Be Pro Be Proud initiative allows us to do that by connecting with Sumner County students (and) building long-term relationships.”
Those connections are critical in building the pipeline of talent that helps grow a skilled workforce and leads to rewarding careers at TVA.
