Tennessee Launches New Initiative to Increase Apprenticeships

NASHVILLE – A qualified and skilled workforce is crucial to Tennessee’s continued economic success. To ensure there is a pipeline of workers for Tennessee businesses, the state has launched a comprehensive program to raise awareness about the benefits of Registered Apprenticeships. 

ApprenticeshipTN is a major initiative to increase the number of skilled employees available within Tennessee’s workforce.

To help promote the program, the state has developed a new website; ApprenticeshipTN.com. 

The site is a gateway to information about Registered Apprenticeship programs in Tennessee. It provides all the information needed to explore the process and to find out how to become involved in a program.

An Apprenticeship is a proven training program that is used as a talent development strategy for recruiting, training and retaining world-class talent and has been used in industry for decades. Apprenticeships are registered and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor.  

During the program, apprentices have supervised on-the-job training, along with job-related education, all while earning a wage that increases during the progression of the program. Registered Apprenticeships are designed for full-time positions with an employer.

“Apprenticeship is a tried and true method to develop and maintain qualified employees,” said Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Jeff McCord. “This new program will help both employers and employees realize the benefits of apprenticeships.”

As part of this initiative, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development has established an apprenticeship organization, which will soon have a regional director in each grand division of the state. These apprenticeship directors will work directly with employers, higher education institutions, community groups, trade organizations, and other state agencies to develop and implement new registered apprenticeship programs.

Even before the official launch, ApprenticeshipTN has already helped facilitate eleven new Registered Apprenticeship programs, with more than 200 apprentices, since October in both traditional and non-traditional industry sectors.

ApprenticeshipTN is powered by the Tennessee Workforce Development System steering team. This group consists of seven state agencies working together to help grow Tennessee’s skilled workforce. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), Department of Education, Department of Economic and Community Development, Department of Human Services, and Department of Correction each play a critical role in the ApprenticeshipTN program.

For more information on Registered Apprenticeship programs in Tennessee, visit www.ApprenticeshipTN.com