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Tennessee Customized Training Grants: A Practical Employer Guide

Tennessee has three real routes for customized training. TNECD's FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program gives grants to new or expanding companies that train net new full-time employees, at its discretion. The Tennessee Board of Regents lets any employer partner with a local TCAT or community college to build custom courses. Local workforce boards can also share the cost of customized training under WIOA when you commit to hire the trainees.

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

  1. 1

    Pick the route: FastTrack for a new or expanded site, a TCAT or college for custom courses, or your local board for WIOA

  2. 2

    Contact TNECD, the college, or your American Job Center before any training or hiring starts

  3. 3

    Agree the training plan and sign the contract or agreement

  4. 4

    Train, document hours and costs, and claim payment as the agreement says

3 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Tennessee money comes from.

Run by Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (FastTrack), Tennessee Board of Regents (college training), local workforce boards (WIOA). Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program (TNECD)

Grant for training net new jobs, amount set per project
DISCRETIONARY, BY PROJECT
WHAT YOU GET

Funding for training net new full-time employees. A premium applies in some counties.

HOW MUCH

Not published as a rate. TNECD's fact sheet says levels depend on net new full-time positions, capital invested, wages and the skills required. A 35% premium applies in ARC at-risk counties and 50% in distressed counties, when the starting wage tops the county median.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The company, by grant.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • New or expanding company creating net new full-time jobs
  • A net new full-time job averages at least 37.5 hours a week, is kept 12 months, and has health coverage offered
  • Grants are discretionary and subject to an accountability agreement
Before you start: Yes. TNECD cannot reimburse positions filled before the contract is executed without prior approval.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Contact TNECD through the Incentives and Grants page, before you hire
  2. 2Negotiate the grant terms and sign the contract
  3. 3Document eligible new positions and training to receive funds

Deadlines and windows: No window. Each project is reviewed on its facts.

SOURCE: TNECD.COM

Custom Business and Industry Training through TCATs and community colleges

Custom courses built with your local college
ONGOING
WHAT YOU GET

Job-specific courses designed with your company, in industrial, high-tech, office and healthcare skills.

HOW MUCH

No price or subsidy is published. Ask the college for a quote.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The college delivers the training. The state funds colleges' workforce work, but no page lists an employer subsidy or price.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • Employer of any size and in any sector
  • Must partner with a local TCAT or community college to design and deliver the training
Before you start: Not applicable. You agree scope and cost with the college.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Contact the business and industry office at your local TCAT or community college
  2. 2Agree the course design and price
  3. 3Schedule and run the training

Deadlines and windows: Ongoing.

SOURCE: TN.GOV

WIOA customized training through your local workforce board

Part of the cost, with a hiring commitment
THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD
WHAT YOU GET

Part of the training cost for a group of new hires, where the board agrees.

HOW MUCH

Federal rule: the employer pays a significant cost, as the local board decides. Southeast Tennessee publishes no rate.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

Set by the board. The Southeast Tennessee board says part of the cost may be reimbursed.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • Training built for your company's special needs
  • You commit to employ people who complete it
  • Trainees are WIOA eligible and referred by the board
Before you start: Yes. Agree terms with the board before training starts.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Contact your local American Job Center business services team
  2. 2Agree the training and hiring commitment
  3. 3Sign the agreement, train, then submit invoices

Deadlines and windows: Through your local board.

SOURCE: SECAREERCENTER.ORG
LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

Southeast Tennessee Workforce Development Board

Offers customized training for groups of job applicants in a specific skill, with part of the cost reimbursed if you hire them.

SOURCE: SECAREERCENTER.ORG
Greater Memphis Local Workforce Development Board

Its policy lists customized training among the strategies local funds may support, with no separate rate.

SOURCE: GREATERMEMWORKFORCE.COM
AVOID THESE

What gets Tennessee Customized claims denied.

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Tennessee Customized questions.

Is FastTrack training money only for new companies?

It is for new or expanding companies that create net new full-time jobs. Pre-hire training is not eligible, and grants are discretionary.

SOURCE: TN.GOV
Who can use a TCAT or community college for custom training?

Any employer of any size or sector that is willing to partner with a local TCAT or community college to design and deliver the training.

SOURCE: TN.GOV
How much does WIOA customized training pay?

The federal rule sets no percentage. The employer pays a significant cost, set by the local board. Southeast Tennessee says a portion may be reimbursed.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
Does the state publish a FastTrack dollar rate?

No. TNECD lists the factors: net new positions, capital invested, wages and skill levels. The amount comes from negotiation.

SOURCE: TNECD.COM

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on . Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

OTHER PROGRAMS IN TENNESSEE

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