Nashville - Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley announced today that the state's television program, "Let's Go to Work," will feature companies from Lewisburg and Pulaski. The news-magazine show follows the progress of three manufacturing companies that have benefited from Incumbent Worker Training Grants distributed last year.

 

"It is essential that we in state government recognize the needs of existing industry," Neeley said. "Funding training grants to our existing industries can save jobs and sometimes even promote jobs. Our latest 'Let's Go to Work' program shows all Tennessee employers the benefits of our Incumbent Worker Program and how they can apply."

 

The "Let's Go To Work" crew went behind the scenes of Cosmolab and Tec Air TN Inc. of Lewisburg and Magotteax Inc. of Pulaski. All were facing the realities of global competition and some were possibly looking at downsizing. The Incumbent Worker Training Program helped to turn things around for these companies and allow them to be more competitive and avoid future layoffs. Last year the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development awarded close to $500,000 in Incumbent Worker grants. More companies will be announced for 2005.

 

The host of "Let's Go To Work," Milissa Reierson, is a former reporter/anchor for WKRN in Nashville. The show's open and close, plus segment introductions were shot in downtown Columbia in the town square. Reierson also taped a segment in the Square Market & Café where she interviewed Jan McKeel, executive director of South Central Tennessee Alliance. The alliance is one of several partners working with the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development to help businesses apply for Incumbent Worker training grants. "Let's Go to Work" began airing in 1990 and is one of only six states nationwide with a television show. The department produces six shows a year that provide information to more than 60 counties across Tennessee. Recently the state has increased its viewership with the addition of Charter Media's Mainstreet Community Channels. Viewers in Lewisburg, Pulaski and Columbia can see the program on Channel 6. The Incumbent Worker show will air Thursday nights at 8:30 p.m. in March and April.

 

More information on the "Let's Go to Work" program can be found on the Internet at www.tennessee.gov/labor-wfd; go to the bottom of the page and click on "Let's Go To Work."

 

NOTE: Photos available upon request.

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