Labor Force

Bradley County has a diverse, skilled workforce with employers ranging from manufacturing, food processing, corporate headquarters, customer service centers, healthcare and financial services to education, retail trade and construction.

The Cleveland/Bradley County area is home to 10 Fortune companies and a labor force that numbers over 320,000 within 25 miles. The community, however, is not content to maintain the status quo. A well-trained, motivated workforce is key to the continued growth of our community, so local efforts are focused on going into maintaining and improving one of our area’s strengths—its workforce. The Chamber’s Workforce Development Programs bring business and education together in partnerships designed to enhance and develop the labor force necessary to meet the challenges of today’s business climate and tomorrow’s technological advancements.

Available Qualified Workforce

Employees in Bradley County apply themselves and work hard to ensure the job gets done. With over 200 manufacturers in the community, we have a strong manufacturing workforce representing 17% of the total workforce. The current workforce for Cleveland/Bradley County is approximately 54,000. We also draw workers from surrounding counties, with nearly 20,000 employees commuting into Bradley County for employment.

Employer Assistance

Staffing assistance is available through the Chamber of Commerce’s member staffing agencies, as well as through the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the American Job Center. Services include employee testing and screening, drug testing, training services, skill assessments, job posting, interview assistance, temporary labor, and labor market information.

Cleveland and Bradley County are blessed with two fine higher education institutions: Lee University and Cleveland State Community College. Many of their 8,700 students work part-time jobs in the community.