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Workforce Training

FastTrack

Tennessee has a state funded program called FastTrack. Included in the program is the FastTrack Infrastructure Development Program (FIDP)-[Community generated] and the FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program (FJTAP)-[Company generated].

Under the guidelines of this program the state can make grants to local governments to help them meet the public infrastructure requirements for locating and expanding industries as well as address the training needs of a company.

FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program (FJTAP)
The FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program is Tennessee's initiative to support industrial recruitment and expansion through direct training assistance for newly hired employees, employees in upgraded positions, and employees retained through instruction. FJTAP staff assists each individual company to develop customized training plans and to provide funding. Eligibility for FJTAP support and levels of funding for training assistance are determined by:

• The amount of company investment
• The number of new hires
• The types of skills and knowledge that must be obtained by prospective or newly hired employees

Job Specific Training (Training assistance is targeted to production/technician level individuals.)

• Classroom - formal instruction relating to specific skills presented in a classroom environment
• On-the-Job Training - instruction that focuses on the development of specific skills and knowledge vital to production.
• Training is provided by company technicians or instructors mutually acceptable to FJTAP and the company.
• Vendor - manufacturer of actual manufacturing equipment or service provider being used by the client may be utilized to deliver specific skills training.
• System Support - instruction associated with plant-wide applications. Instruction may include new methods for increasing mechanization, quality, materials handling, etc.
• Development and Coordination - supports the cost associated with the development of instructional materials and coordination of the overall training program.

Travel
• Supporting the expense of travel for the purpose of training can be considered as a viable option for the training of new hires and especially for persons who will serve as a company instructor.

Job Based Training (JBT)
Program to offer potentially faster reimbursement monies associated with training. Once the project commitment is determined and cost per job established, this quick start program may offer the company an accelerated portion of training dollars.

• After the first 3 months (60 work days) The Company records are reviewed {proper documentation will be required} for number of new jobs created.
• Calculation is made to determine salary paid to those new jobs multiplied by 25%.
• Calculation is made of predetermined cost-per-job multiplied by the number of jobs created during this period.

The company will be entitled to Job Based Training dollars for whichever above scenario is LESS.

• After 3 additional months the same calculation is run, with proper documentation, to allow an additional 25% computation on salaries for jobs created during the period, compared to the calculation of number of new jobs multiplied by again, the established cost-per-job.

The company is again entitled to JBT dollars for whichever scenario is LESS.

Depending on the number of new jobs to be created during the periods of review, it may be possible for the company to receive the entire training commitment IF the total committed job number is reached.

It is the company's elective to pursue the training commitment in either type of reimbursement method or in a combination thereof. If the commitment is not met in JBT, then direct training can be used for the balance IF the total job commitment is met.

Employee Recruitment and Screening (Provided by Dept. of Labor & Workforce Dev.)
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Job Service Division, will provide recruitment and screening services. Utilizing the client/company's prepared job specifications, Job Service will recruit the number of persons requested by the company. The persons will be screened using the company's specifications. Those persons meeting the specifications will be referred to the company for employment considerations.

Workforce Development

• Leadership Training - is directed toward providing supervisors, team leaders, and managers with the interpersonal skills necessary to motivate and lead production workers towards the accomplishment of organizational goals.
• Team Training - is provided for manufacturing/production employees where interpersonal communication is important in fostering interdependence, cooperation, commitment, motivation, etc.
• Instructor Certification - Certification of company personnel insures the availability of certified instructors not only at startup but also on a long term basis. The weeklong certification seminar provides candidates with the facilitation skills necessary to deliver a wide range of programs.
  

Community College Business Training Programs

The region's three Tennessee Board of Regents community colleges provide business and industrial training to the region's business community.

• Pellissippi State Technical Community College
• Roane State Community College
• Walters State Community College

Tennessee Technology Centers in the Region

• Tennessee Technology Center at Harriman
• Tennessee Technology Center at Jacksboro
• Tennessee Technology Center at Knoxville
• Tennessee Technology Center at Oneida/Huntsville

Regional Training Resources