Tennessee Announces Six Apprenticeship Intermediaries to Expand Opportunities Statewide
Six partners. One statewide goal: more apprenticeship opportunities for Tennessee.
For employers, building a skilled workforce starts with finding the right support. For Tennesseans, a new career opportunity can start with the chance to earn while they learn.
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Office of Apprenticeship is bringing those goals together through six Tennessee Apprenticeship Intermediary partnerships that will support apprenticeship growth across the state.
Industry Connections That Help Employers Get Started
A Tennessee Apprenticeship Intermediary connects employers, education and training providers, and the Office of Apprenticeship. These partners help businesses identify workforce needs, understand available resources, and explore apprenticeship opportunities that fit their industries.
For example, an employer interested in developing a talent pipeline may need help identifying an apprenticeship pathway or connecting with an education provider. An intermediary helps make those connections and coordinates with the Office of Apprenticeship to support the next steps.
Many of these organizations already educate and support employers within their sectors. These partnerships build on those relationships by making apprenticeship a stronger part of that work.
Statewide Reach Includes Rural Communities
These partnerships have a statewide scope. Their work will support employer outreach and apprenticeship development across Tennessee, including rural communities where connecting employers with training resources is especially important.
This approach gives Tennessee more capacity to reach businesses through organizations that understand their industries. It also creates opportunities to connect employers with similar workforce needs, strengthen education partnerships, and share resources across communities.
Meet Tennessee’s Six Apprenticeship Intermediaries
- Tennessee Hospital Association — Healthcare
- Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association — Hospitality and tourism
- Lipscomb University — Early childhood education
- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Greater Tennessee — Construction
- Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) — Tile industry and advanced manufacturing
- Go Build Tennessee — Skilled trades awareness and outreach
Why Tennessee Is Moving in This Direction
Growing apprenticeship takes strong employer relationships and an understanding of the skills businesses need. Tennessee Apprenticeship Intermediaries bring both to the table.
By strengthening these partnerships, Tennessee is expanding its ability to engage employers, connect workforce and education resources, and help turn interest in apprenticeship into action.
For employers, that means additional support in building a skilled talent pipeline. For Tennesseans, it means the potential for more opportunities to gain hands-on experience, earn a paycheck, and advance in a career.
Ready to Explore Apprenticeship for Your Organization?
Email Apprenticeship.TN@tn.gov to connect with the Office of Apprenticeship and an industry partner. Visit TN.gov/ApprenticeshipTN for more information.