A Message from the UT CIS Executive Director

From Paul H. Jennings, Executive Director of UT Center for Industrial Services

Workforce development is one of the great challenges of our time.  How we respond to this challenge affects the future of our businesses, communities and families. Throughout our 60-year history, the UT Center for Industrial Services has helped customers meet workforce needs by providing training services in manufacturing excellence, health and safety, and other areas vital to productivity, innovation and success. 

During 2022, we significantly expanded our workforce efforts by connecting jobseekers and employers as the American Job Center (AJC) One-Stop Operator for East Tennessee; securing funding  to develop training for workforce development professionals; developing tools to help companies establish people development systems and effectively train employees; and continuing to provide training in leadership, six-sigma, lean systems, safety, and other areas.

With your investment we will take our workforce development services to a new level in 2023.  This includes developing manufacturing boot camps to quickly prepare people for manufacturing jobs; helping communities leverage their assets to increase labor participation rates; expanding workforce assessment and training services to more companies throughout the state; and supporting student experiences that increase interest in manufacturing careers.

Please consider supporting our 2023 workforce development efforts with a tax-deductible gift to the CIS Gift Fund.  Your support will help Tennessee companies and communities grow and thrive. To make an online gift, please go to the CIS Gift Fund. 

You may also mail a check to the CIS Gift Fund at the address below.  Please contact me if you would like to discuss our programs or opportunities to make a transformational gift.  We appreciate your consideration.