Tennessee Board of Regents Center for Workforce Development
The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Center for Workforce Development works to develop and maintain a statewide approach for workforce development that directly impacts the state and our communities. The Center collaborates with business, industry, government agencies, local community leaders, and our colleges to quickly develop needed workforce training programs to create a competitive workforce across a wide range of occupational levels.
Tennessee Higher Education in Prison Project
Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) colleges participate in the Tennessee Higher Education in Prison Project to provide access to college programs to those inside the state’s prison system. By offering certificate and degree programs to inmates, they are able to obtain valuable skills and greatly decrease the chances they will re-offend. Participants must qualify by taking a college placement exam and by having a record of good behavior. In addition, earned credits, certificates and degrees are recognized and transferable to any TBR college or university, as well as certain private and public colleges and universities in the Southeastern region.
Tennessee Board of Regents Warranty Program
Representing the college system of Tennessee's commitment to the quality of its technical programs, the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) created a warranty program to stand behind the training it provides to thousands of graduates each year. The warranty guarantees employers that anyone with an A.A.S. degree, diploma, or certificate from a TBR college will have the knowledge and skills needed to perform job functions. Valid for one year immediately following the student’s graduation/completion date, the program warranty covers retraining only at no cost to the graduate and employer.
SkillsUSA - Tennessee Postsecondary
SkillsUSA is a nonprofit partnership of education and industry founded in 1965 to strengthen the nation’s skilled workforce. Driven by employer demand, SkillsUSA helps students develop necessary personal and workplace skills along with technical skills grounded in academics. Each year, SkillsUSA offers a championship program, allowing students to showcase their talent and skills at state, regional, and national levels. In 2021, 23 students from Tennessee Board of Regents colleges earned gold, silver, and bronze medals at the national competition.
Apprenticeships - Registered apprenticeships are an effective workforce training solution to develop skilled workers through a combination of on-the-job learning and classroom instruction. Students grow their skills by working alongside veteran workers, as well as earn substantial credit hours toward an associate degree or technical certificate. TBR colleges and Center for Workforce Development regularly work with businesses to design customized apprenticeships.
Technical Dual Enrollment - High school students can get a jumpstart on gaining valuable technical skills with dual enrollment courses for technical programs, like welding and mechatronics. Participating high school students earn early college credits, allowing them to finish their technical certifications in much shorter timeframes after graduation so they can enter the workforce and begin successful careers in high-demand fields.
Competency-Based Education - Competency-based education is a pedagogical approach to designing courses where students are expected to demonstrate competencies aligned with clearly defined learning objectives. Demonstration of competencies is achieved through reliable and authentic assessments created by the course designer/instructor. Course competencies are the skills, knowledge, processes, and/or procedures that a learner can perform after completing the course modules. Relevant learning activities are aligned to course competencies and performance assessments.
Tennessee Promise
Tennessee Promise is both a scholarship and a mentoring program focused on increasing the number of students who attend college in our state. It provides students a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or the Tennessee Student Assistance Award. Students may use the scholarship at any of the System’s community colleges or colleges of applied technology.
Tennessee Reconnect
Similar to Tennessee Promise, the Tennessee Reconnect program is designed to help adults enter higher education so that they may gain new skills, advance in the workplace, or fulfill lifelong dreams of completing a degree or credential. Eligible adults may pursue an associate degree, technical degree or technical diploma at one of the state’s community or technical colleges tuition-free under this last-dollar scholarship grant.
Visit the Tennessee Board of Regents' website.