Through a coordinated, interagency effort, TNWorks brings together the state’s leading workforce, education, and economic development partners to deliver customized, data-driven solutions that align with participating employer’s needs. Whether a company is expanding operations, exploring a new location in Tennessee, or developing its existing talent, TNWorks provides a seamless, efficient path to success. A new program that launched in October 2026 is expanding the organization’s offerings.
According to WGNS radio, “Tennessee employers looking to expand their businesses, train employees or fill positions in growing industries now have a new resource available through the state. The newly launched TNWorks Talent Accelerator (TNTalent) provides a centralized online hub where employers can identify workforce needs, connect with training providers, and apply for grant-supported training opportunities. The initiative, available at TNWorks.com, is designed to help businesses strengthen their workforce while creating jobs and increasing wages across Tennessee.”
TNTalent and Rural Works Programs Explained
TNTalent was made possible from a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The program focuses on three rapidly developing industries: nuclear energy, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. The goal is to make specialized training more affordable while helping Tennessee businesses remain competitive in industries that require increasingly technical skills.
“The debut of the TNWorks Talent Accelerator and TNTalent program marks a major step forward for workforce development in Tennessee,” TNWorks Executive Director Brooks Young said in a press release. “By aligning employers, education, and resources, we’re creating stronger outcomes for our workforce and economy.”
The launch also includes Rural Works, an initiative supported by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This program directs state funding toward building stronger workforce pipelines in rural counties. Initially, the program will concentrate on healthcare occupations, helping employers address staffing shortages and develop a larger pool of qualified workers. Plans call for expanding into additional industries as workforce challenges are identified in rural communities throughout the state.
Creation of TNWorks
Part of Governor Bill Lee’s plan to keep Tennessee a top state for workforce development, he launched TNWorks in November 2025 at the Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development that took place in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The initiative brings together six major state agencies and organizations: Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Tennessee Department of Human Services, Tennessee Department of Education, Tennessee Board of Regents, and Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
“Tennessee has a strong history around coordination between state agencies and working together,” TNWorks Executive Director Brooks Young told Site Selection magazine. “But now with TNWorks, our strategy moving forward is to further break down any silos that are there, and, instead of having sort of this casual or informal collaboration and coordination, really structure our strategy around workforce needs and employer needs and build those talent pipelines across industry sectors.”
Goals of TNWORKs
Site Selection notes, “A big benefit of TNWorks’ organizational structure is the fact that all partners and state agencies can have seats at the same table, identifying talent pool barriers and solving them in tandem with industry and government partners.”
TNWorks has four main goals:
- Provide business incentives and financial credit in the form of tax credits, grants, and exemptions for job creation and capital investment.
- Offer streamlined hiring and on-boarding through job postings, resume databases, and local American Job Centers.
- Create customized training and up-skilling support through community colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology.
- Help develop support services such as childcare assistance and family stability programs for employees.
Since its inception, the initiative has reported serving approximately 6,300 employers, delivering 927,000 services, and connecting Tennessee businesses with $9.4 million in direct employer investment.
Brooks explained to Site Magazine, “as we continue to grow and support businesses and communities across the state, prepare the workforce and build talent pipelines, it’s going to take more than just those six agencies. Part of our focus over the next year or two is making sure we are aligned at the state level and that same alignment extends to the regional level, with local partners and communities fully on board.”
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter
