Last week we had the privilege to join a career fair for hundreds of Bridgestone employees impacted by the upcoming closure of the truck and bus radial tire plant in LaVergne, TN. With the plant closed for the holiday, all current employees had the opportunity to meet and learn more about NSS, along with other training and education opportunities and companies and staffing firms that were hiring, at the Smyrna Event Center.
The energy from over 100 attendees was high! Some attended with the goal of finding opportunities to retrain in a new career field, while others were searching for immediate employment with plans to consider retraining for long-term career options while they work.
We met several people who were surprised to learn that many NSS students start out with little to no hands-on experience in tech and we opened their eyes and minds to their ability to learn tech skills regardless of their age or previous experience. Others we met serve as their family’s go-to IT support person and are thinking about building on those skills to move into a career in technology. Many were excited by how quickly they can gain the skills to become a Data Analyst or Software Developer and that they could do it from home while still learning with a group of classmates from live Instructors.
Thank you to Dennis at Bridgestone for inviting us to this event and Jesse Turner, an NSS Web Development Cohort 10 alum, who spoke to attendees about his experience moving from manufacturing to Software Development with the education and skills he learned at NSS.
We look forward to welcoming Bridgestone alumni to NSS this fall!