Workforce Development

Tennessee Workforce Development Academy 

The UT Center for Industrial Services developed the Tennessee Workforce Development (TNWFD) Academy to help bridge the gap between workforce and economic development. The inaugural TNWFD Academy will be held in Knoxville in 2025! 

The two-and-a-half day interactive Academy is designed for workforce development professionals, business and HR leaders, community leaders and economic development practitioners. Participants will benefit from panel discussions, networking, and expert instruction to facilitate better alignment among stakeholders. Critical topics include skills gaps, workforce challenges, emerging trends, utilizing data and exploring linkages between workforce development and economic development at the local, regional and state levels. 

Key drivers of the TNWFD Academy include: 

  • Strengthen alliances between workforce development, economic development and industry partners to advance economic development. 
  • Enhance workforce development systems to address key state and regional goals, particularly in rural and distressed areas. 
  • Support professional development needs identified by workforce development practitioners. 

Who Should Attend?

  • Workforce development professionals
  • Business leaders and HR professionals
  • Community and economic development professionals 

Date and Location:

February 18-20, 2025

UT Conference Center | 600 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37902 

Course Agenda:

Coming soon!

Course Fee:

Registration: $595 | Early Registration $545 (by: January 27, 2025) 

The registration fee covers course materials, instruction, Lunch (days 1-3), Breakfast (days 2-3) and one networking reception (day1). It does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited to 50 participants and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  Please remit payment for the course no later than 10-days prior to the course start date.  If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the wait list.

Course Times:

Onsite check-in: 9:00 AM
Day 1: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM* 
Day 2: 8:15 AM - 5:15 PM
Day 3: 8:15 AM - 2:00 PM

*Networking reception Day 1: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM 

Registration:

Register

If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us at 615-253-6371 or email us here. You may also register by submitting a Course Registration Form by email. 

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Cancellations made 7 days or more prior to the course start date will be eligible for a full refund or credit.  Cancellations made less than 7 days will be eligible for credit only for a future course.  

Hotel Accommodations:

A limited number of rooms will be reserved a a nearby hotel - check back for the location and link soon!

This link and rate code is only available for class attendees.  If this link and special rate is used by someone outside of the class, the reservation will be cancelled and a fee will be applied to the credit card used to book the reservation.  

Scholarships:

A limited number of scholarships are available to course participants from Tennessee. Scholarships cover $445 of the $545 early registration fee, and do not include hotel, travel or meals. Scholarship recipients will pay $100 of the tuition cost, which is non-refundable should the participant withdraw from the course. Applications must be received by: January 6, 2025 to be considered.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  If applying for a scholarship, please register for the class to save a seat and choose the "Invoice" option. If a scholarship is not received, the participant may decide to keep the seat or withdraw at the time of notification with no penalty. Scholarships are non-transferable. 

Applications for scholarships can be downloaded here Scholarship Application.

Dress Code:

The attire for the course is business casual.
Contact Autumn Derrick, Workforce Development Consultant, for more information at Autumn.Derrick@tennessee.edu. Follow UT CIS on Facebook, X and LinkedIn to get the latest news about this opportunity!  

 

Workforce Board Certification 

The UT CIS Workforce Board Certification Program is a structured approach for Workforce Boards that:

  • Establishes consistency, professional practice and ethical standards
  • Outlines an accepted body of knowledge for state and local boards
  • Provides targeted opportunities for professional development of board members
  • Formally certifies adherence to best practices

More specifically, the UT CIS Workforce Board Certification Program is an assessment-based program that supports high performing boards by identifying strengths, opportunities for improvement, professional development options and best practices.  The certification assessment is customized to the primary responsibility of the Boards, for example, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

  • The certification assessment evaluates the policies, procedures, and performance of a workforce development board against two sets of criteria.  The first is our nation’s highest standard for excellence, the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence, produced by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, under the US Department of Commerce.  The second is the requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

  • Strengths identified as part of the Board Certification process are potential strategic advantages for the Board and can be capitalized on to create new opportunities to assist adults, dislocated workers, youth, employers, and more.

  • Opportunities for Improvement identified as part of the Board Certification process are potential innovation opportunities that can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of how the Board meets the needs of adults, dislocated workers, youth, and employers now and in the future.

     

What are the benefits of Workforce Board Certification? 

  • Formal recognition of achievement of Board Certification 
  • Creates systematic processes & essential skills
  • Demonstrates credibility & commitment to excellence
  • Ensures legal responsibilities of the boards are integrated into board operations
  • Promotes accountability
  • Recognizes competence and expertise 
  • Prepares board for possible new grant funding opportunities
  • Establishes a model for committees, operations, and individuals that execute Board decisions

  • Identifies and prioritizes areas for improvement or innovation 

Contact Tamera Parsons, UT CIS Board Certification Program Director, for more information at tamera.parsons@tennessee.edu.