Site Selection

Training ~ Assistance

 

The Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development (ECD) realizes Tennessee must have a trained and ready workforce for our businesses to compete in this global economy.  Training assistance for new and existing business and industry is available as an incentive by the State of Tennessee when associated with new investment for facilities, equipment and new job hires.  Programs include:

FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program (FJTAP)

FJTAP staff assists each individual company in developing customized training plans and providing funds for components of that training. Eligibility for FJTAP support and levels of funding for training assistance are determined by:

• Amount of company investment
• Number of new hires and average hourly wage
• Types of skills and knowledge that must be obtained by prospective or newly hired employees

Job Based Training Reimbursement (JBT)

A potentially faster program for reimbursement of training costs, companies may seek reimbursement from the state once a job creation commitment and cost-per-job is established.  

• 50% reimbursement of the cost per job within the first 90 days after the job is created. The remaining 50% can be claimed 180 days after the job is created.
• Multi-year contracts between the company and ECD can be reached to accommodate multi-year job creation projects.

Tennessee Job Skills (TJS)

Similar to FJTAP, but with a focus on employers and industries which create high skill, high wage jobs in emerging, high-demand and technology focused sectors of the economy.  Reimbursement rates depend on the level of training and the types of instructors utilized.

 

The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development can provide training assistance to businesses through the following programs:

 

Incumbent Worker Training Program

The Incumbent Worker Training Program provides up to $50,000 in grant funding for customized training for existing, for profit businesses. Through this customer-driven program, Tennessee is able to effectively retain and keep businesses competitive through upgrade skills training for existing full-time employees.

Apprenticeship Assistance Pilot Program

The Apprenticeship Assistance Pilot Program (AAPP) is designed to aid apprenticeship programs, recognized by the USDOL Office of Apprenticeships, deliver valuable skills training for the building trades and other related jobs in high growth industries that face critical skills shortages where demand exceeds supply.

Customized Training

When an employer identifies the need to train a group of job applicants in a specific occupational skill area, the Local Workforce Investment Area can assist with meeting the employer's training needs. The local program can pay up to 50% of the total cost for training a group of potential employees. The employer must agree to hire all of the applicants referred who successfully complete the training.

On-the-Job Training (OJT)

Employers who have been pre-approved by One-Stop Career Centers can be reimbursed up to half of wages paid to workers.  Employers hire workers they have trained to their own specifications and employees are more likely to remain after training is complete.