Incumbent Worker Training Program
The Incumbent Worker Training Program provides grant funding for customized training for existing for profit businesses & health care related non-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. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, along with the specific Local Workforce Investment Area and the local Career Center administer the Incumbent Worker Training Program. The program has been structured to be flexible to meet the business' training objectives to make business viable, avoid lay-offs and plant closures. The business may use public, private, or its own in-house training provider based on the nature of 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 earn workers they have trained to their own specifications and employees are very likely to remain after training is complete. OJT is particularly encouraged in higher-skill occupations, and can be done in conjunction with classroom training at education institutions. Reimbursements are limited to six months and may not exceed the time required to acquire the skill needed for the position.
On The Job Training for an eligible employed individual may be available for employers when the employee is not earning a self-sufficient wage as determined by local board policy. The employer must agree to continue to employ the individual on successful completion of the training.
Veterans Welcome Home Network (VWHN)
The Veterans Welcome Home Network is a workforce development program targeting military servicemen and women who are within six months of leaving military service, and is a joint effort between the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and the Tennessee Technology Center at Murfreesboro. This workforce recruitment strategy was developed out of a need to help address the shortage of both skilled and unskilled production workers among industries within Rutherford County's local workforce investment area.
The VWHN will focus efforts on both a target group of individuals and those specific skill sets requireed by VWHN supporting organizations. It is designed to utilize existing skill sets based on prior military training and length of service, and the Tennessee Technology Center provides additional customized training as needed.