Innovative Partnership Strengthens Tennessee's Healthcare Workforce

NASHVILLE - More than 200 healthcare workers across Tennessee gained new skills and expanded career advancement opportunities through grants awarded by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) as part of the Tennessee Talent Initiative. That funding was put into action through a partnership between the Northern Middle Tennessee Workforce Development Board and the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA).

The completed initiative helped healthcare providers strengthen their workforce by providing specialized training to 211 clinical and nonclinical employees.

The $244,713 investment of Incumbent Worker Training funds supported one of Tennessee's priority industry sectors by improving employee retention, expanding career pathways, and helping employers address ongoing workforce shortages in urban and rural communities.

Participating healthcare employers included:

• Baptist Memorial Hospital (Obion County)
• Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital (Blount County)
• Greystone Foster Care (Williamson County)
• Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation (Hamilton County)
• Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Davidson County)
• Williamson Health (Williamson County)
• Ascension Saint Thomas Medical Partners (Davidson County)
• Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown (Davidson County)
• HCA Health Services – TriStar Health (Williamson County)
• Covenant Health (Knox County)

"Investing in incumbent workers is one of the most effective ways to strengthen Tennessee's workforce while helping employers meet today's challenges," TDLWD Commissioner Deniece Thomas said. "These grants equipped healthcare professionals with new skills and credentials, helping employers retain valuable talent while ensuring Tennesseans continue to receive high-quality healthcare services."

Healthcare remains one of Tennessee's fastest-growing industries, with more than 80,000 new healthcare and social assistance jobs projected statewide by 2030. At the same time, THA projects the state could face a shortage of 8,500 registered nurses by 2035, underscoring the importance of investing in the current workforce.

The Northern Middle Tennessee Workforce Development Board partnered with THA to connect hospitals with training opportunities tailored to their workforce needs. The collaboration also strengthened partnerships between local workforce development boards and healthcare employers throughout the state.

"Our goal is to provide employers with workforce solutions that produce measurable results," said Marla Rye, Executive Director of the Northern Middle Tennessee Workforce Development Board. "This investment enabled healthcare organizations to enhance the skills of their existing workforce while creating opportunities for employees to grow professionally. Those outcomes benefit employers, workers, and the communities they serve."

THA served as a statewide liaison between participating hospitals and the workforce system, helping ensure healthcare employers could take advantage of available training resources.

"Tennessee hospitals are continually investing in their workforce to meet the growing healthcare needs of our communities," said Ferrol Thomas, Director of Workforce Strategies for THA. "Our partnership with the Northern Middle Tennessee Workforce Development Board demonstrates how collaboration can strengthen the healthcare workforce, improve retention, and help hospitals continue providing exceptional care across Tennessee, especially in rural communities."

The Incumbent Worker Training program helps Tennessee employers upgrade the skills of their existing workforce, enabling businesses to remain competitive while increasing employee productivity, retention, and career advancement opportunities.