NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee employers that need to train workers for nuclear energy, AI infrastructure and advanced manufacturing jobs can now apply for help paying for it through a new state portal.
The TNWorks Talent Accelerator went live this week at TNWorks.com as a central hub where employers can share workforce needs, connect with training providers and begin enrolling in grant-supported training. The initiative is backed by a mix of federal and state funding and is meant to expand access to training, create jobs and raise wages across the state.
The first piece is TNTalent, a program funded by a U.S. Department of Labor grant. It lets employers apply online to offset the cost of incumbent worker training in the three target industries, for new hires and current employees alike.
The program can cover up to 80% of eligible training costs. Employers have to pay for training up front, and reimbursement comes only after workers complete the program and are retained. Companies may be based in Tennessee or simply have employees working here, but multistate employers can only use the money to train employees who live in Tennessee. Training must be finished by December 2028.
A second piece, Rural Works, comes from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and steers state money toward workforce pipelines in rural counties. It starts with healthcare occupations and is expected to expand into other fields.
TNWorks Executive Director Brooks Young said in the announcement that the launch is a major step for workforce development because it lines up employers, education and resources behind the same goals.
Gov. Bill Lee launched TNWorks in November 2025. Since then it has served 6,300 employers, delivered 927,000 services and helped connect Tennessee businesses with $9.4 million in direct employer investment. Six state agencies make up the pipeline, including the state departments of labor and workforce development, economic development, human services and education, plus the Tennessee Board of Regents and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
