Characteristics of Viable and Sustainable Workers for the Year 2015.

A two-round Delphi study was conducted to identify the characteristics of viable and sustainable employees in northeastern Tennessee in 2015. The Delphi panel selected for the study consisted of 25 experts who represented a cross-section of the businesses and communities in the 10-county area of northeastern Tennessee served by Walters State Community College. The five characteristics receiving the highest rankings were as follows: strong work ethic, positive attitude, willingness to learn, and dependable/adaptable work personality. The characteristics receiving the lowest rankings were the following: ability to use statistical process control, oral presentation skills, and math skills. Establishing cultures where workers are valued, establishing on-the-job and in-house training programs, and instituting participatory management strategies were deemed the important initiatives of successful companies in 2015. Initiatives considered less important to companies included replacing equipment, working with teachers to provide job shadowing experiences, and increasing the number of available internships. Initiatives increasing reading, math, and writing proficiency and initiatives facilitating collaborative curriculum development by industry and education were considered the most important initiatives required of public education. (The paper contains 25 references. Appended is the round 2 survey instrument, "Delphi Study of Desirable Characteristics of Viable and Sustainable Workers in 2015.) (MN)