Opportunities for mutually beneficial contracting with state and federal governments abound, but successfully navigating these connections requires more than just knowing where to look. Thorough preparation rewards those who go the extra mile, and Tennessee APEX Accelerator training can give you a jump-start on the competition.

From locating the right contracting opportunities for your business to learning how to speak the language, adhere to the regulations, identify subcontracting possibilities and formulate proposal development strategies,Tennessee APEX Accelerator is a comprehensive destination for government contracting preparation. With our experienced, knowledgeable and friendly staff, there is no better source than Tennessee APEX Accelerator for professionals with your interests in mind and your business' success prioritized.

Housed in the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services, the Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnership (TMEP) is a service provider and consulting organization committed to building a thriving manufacturing industry across the state. The Tennessee MEP provides high-value, affordable solutions to help manufacturers increase profitability. 

The staff leverages resources in both the public and private sectors to help identify areas of improvement, streamline processes, and ultimately increase competitiveness. 

Tennessee MEP is a part of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Network, which has resource centers in 50 states and Puerto Rico that are funded in part by the Department of Commerce. Tennessee MEP can collaborate across borders to pull in expertise as needed or to participate in multi-state projects. It is part of a unique public/private partnership model that often includes a cost-share program with financial contributions from federal, state and local governments to help make MEP services affordable for U.S. small and medium-sized manufacturers. 

Click through the options below to learn more about TMEP's service lines. If you would like to learn more about TMEP's services request a free consultation with your local Solutions Consultant.

UT CIS creates comprehensive economic development solutions for Tennessee businesses, entrepreneurs, organizations and government leaders. By training, consulting and assisting our communities through the identification and development of economic potential, we improve quality of life for all Tennesseans.

Leveraging research and development assets to create and retain high-quality job opportunities, we increase capital investment statewide. At UT CIS, our involvement in everything from small business innovation and technology transfer—to our rural entrepreneurship system and many other initiatives and services—our ongoing focus remains on helping advance the economic well-being of Tennessee.

Would you like to receive a monthly e-newsletter to stay up to date on UT CIS economic development progress and upcoming courses? Sign Up

UT CIS wants to make your facility OSHA-compliant and a safer place to work. Whether your needs lie in employee safety, emergency preparedness or regulatory compliance, UT CIS can help you find the right solutions to meet your goals. Here is a sampling of our services:

• Health & Safety Consultation and Training
• Emergency Response Training 
• Hazardous Materials Training
• Pandemic Preparedness & Response Training
• OSHA Compliance Assistance
• Audits
• OTI Education Center Programs

Click here to view our Health & Safety Services

Our Partners

We invite you to explore our training offerings by selecting any of the class links in the schedule above.

If you already have an account for the Center for Industrial Services Online Training Portal, but have not logged in since August 2017, you will need to do one of two things:

1) Enter your previous User Name and Password. If they match what we have on record, you will be prompted to change your password in order to enter the new system.

2) If they do not match, you will need to click on the 'Forgot user name and password?' link.  You will then enter your email address in the Login Credential area and then complete the ReCaptcha (an advanced risk analysis technique that tells humans and bots apart) and an email containing a link to reset your password will be sent.

• You can also register by completing the Course Registration Form and emailing it to cis.support@tennessee.edu 
• If you have previously taken classes through UT CIS before and cannot get logged into the system, please cis.support@tennessee.edu  or you can call her direct at: (615) 253-6371 or toll free at: (888) 763-7439.
• Click here for a list of hotels convenient to our Nashville Office location. 

Cancellation and Refund Policy

No refunds or credits issued one week or less prior to the first date of class.

No refunds for cancellations more than one week prior to the first date class but credit may be applied toward another UTCIS course.

Please note: Some Environmental, Health and Safety courses require that students complete a Medical Evaluation Form. Please check course descriptions to determine if this applies to the course you're registering for, then complete the form and bring it with you to the first class. 

Please contact cis.support@tennessee.edu with any registration questions

To make a gift to any of the investment opportunities below, please visit the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service gift page and select Center for Industrial Services as the area of support.

Manufacturing Excellence:

1. David Patterson Future Manufacturing Leaders Endowment - The David Patterson Future Manufacturing Leaders Endowment promotes manufacturing as a career choice.  Your gift supports student experiences and activities, including internships, capstone projects and Manufacturing Day events.
2. Dr. Rapinder Sawhney CASRE/CIS Fellowship Endowment (Formerly Industrial Fellowship Program Endowment) - The Industrial Fellowship Program Endowment promotes manufacturing as a research and service topic for faculty and students.  Your gift supports faculty and student work on actual manufacturing challenges, leading to innovative solutions.
3. Made in Tennessee Fund - The Made in Tennessee Fund advances and celebrates Tennessee manufacturers.  Your gift supports the Made in Tennessee website, videos, events and communications that lift up the importance of manufacturing to our country and state.   
4. Next Generation Manufacturing Leadership Fund -  Your investment means that we will introduce more students to career opportunities in manufacturing, fund faculty and student projects with Tennessee companies, and help smaller firms connect with student interns to solve real-life manufacturing problems.  We will continue to advocate for manufacturing careers and develop future leaders.  And, we will keep manufacturing in Tennessee.

Economic Development:

1. Philip Trauernicht Memorial Scholarship for Rural Leaders - The Philip Trauernicht Memorial Scholarship for Rural Leaders expands professional development opportunities for economic developers.  Your gift supports tuition and related costs for participation in the Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course. 

General Support:

1. UT CIS Gift Fund - The UT CIS Gift Fund supports  helps advance and support UTCIS programs and activities that fall outside or beyond existing budgets.  Examples include program development, student recognition, and employee appreciation events.  Your gift can be tailored to support specific initiatives that are important to you. 

Sponsorships provide an opportunity for your organization to partner with UT CIS to present training and networking events, sponsor a particular program, and reach a specific audience.  Naming rights are available.

Please visit the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service gift page and select Center for Industrial Services as the area of support to make a gift to any of the opportunities listed above. To discuss these and other investment opportunities, contact Paul Jennings, Executive Director (615-532-8887, paul.jennings@tennessee.edu)

The University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS) delivers technical assistance and training to businesses and communities throughout Tennessee. UT CIS has the real-world experience and expertise to give businesses and communities the tools they need to grow, succeed and create good jobs.

Whether you want to improve productivity on the plant floor, comply with safety or environmental regulations, sell to a government agency, introduce a new product, or improve your economic development potential, UT CIS has the expertise to help you succeed.

In addition to having a skilled and experienced staff who can help you define and solve your most pressing problems, UT CIS can connect you with the expertise of universities, federal laboratories and other resources across the country.

Since its creation in 1963, UT CIS has grown its staff of professional employees located in six offices across the state. UT CIS is an agency of the UT Institute of Public Service and houses several nationally known programs, including the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership, EDA University Center, Procurement Technical Assistance Center and OSHA Training Institute.

MISSION STATEMENT

We Help Customers Achieve Their Goals.

VISION STATEMENT

Happy People, Great Teams, Successful Customers.

VALUES STATEMENT

Innovation, Honesty, Engagement, Accountability and Respect.

Meet Our Team

September, 2017 - Ten years after Gary Pasano wrote about the importance of manufacturing in U.S. innovation, manufacturing still isn’t addressed in early stage tech transfer conversations.

Knoxville, TN (September, 2017) - Every organization has that person or that team that works behind the scenes, making things happen, diligently focused on helping the team succeed with little or n