Upper Cumberland Workforce Connections is offering incumbent worker training funds to help local businesses strengthen and retain their workforce.
Workforce Connections Business Service Director Stacey Baxter said the funding comes from a grant. It will be distributed to support businesses throughout the 14-county Upper Cumberland area.
“This is a grant that was awarded to the Upper Cumberland by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and we are going to be using it to strengthen the Upper Cumberland workforce, to help enhance our businesses through competitiveness, through training and upskilling employees in their jobs,” Baxter said.
The funds are available to businesses that have been operating for at least one year and employ a minimum of five full-time workers. Baxter said employees receiving training must have worked for the business for at least six months.
“We’re currently focusing on the manufacturing, healthcare, and small business sectors,” Baxter said. “Small businesses have to go at it a little bit harder than some of the larger companies, so we like to try to help them out as much as we can, and of course healthcare and manufacturing are really high demand right now.”
Baxter said training is determined by the employer and can include a wide range of options that support employee advancement. She said examples include certifications, supervisory training, leadership development, and other skills tied to higher wages.
The funding is designed to help employers invest in current workers rather than repeatedly hiring and onboarding new employees. Baxter said employee retention is a major focus of the program.
“It costs a lot to do onboarding for a new employee, so we want the employees to feel like they’re valued and to work towards promotions and higher wages, but to also build that loyalty with them and the employers,” Baxter said.
Upper Cumberland Workforce Connections was awarded a little more than $200,000 for the current funding cycle. Baxter said applications are being reviewed now, with funds scheduled for distribution across the region.
Baxter said the long-term goal is to support continued growth in the Upper Cumberland. She said workforce development plays a key role as more people move into the area.
“Upper Cumberland is growing at a rapid rate, and we want jobs to be available, but we also want our participants to be the best employees that they can be,” Baxter said. “So it’s kind of a win-win for all.”
Businesses can apply by contacting Upper Cumberland Workforce Connections directly or by applying through the state Jobs for TN website. Baxter said employers unsure about eligibility are encouraged to ask.
“You never know until you ask the question if you’re eligible or not,” Baxter said. “Every call we get, we try to work with them as much as we can to find the funds that we can get them to help them in any way possible.”