Employers Encouraged to Apply
Workforce Connections, known as the Upper Cumberland Local Workforce Development Board (UCWLDB), has been awarded a $270,000 rural health care grant to expand apprenticeship programs in high-demand fields such as nursing, medical assisting and emergency medical services (EMS).
The funding is available to health care employers in the Upper Cumberland region looking to train and retain skilled workers through apprenticeships.
Grant Timeline: Feb. 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Health care employers can apply for funding to support apprenticeships during the grant period, which runs from Feb. 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Employers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, while it’s available, to strengthen their workforce and address critical staffing shortages.
Funding Available for health care Employers
With 850 job openings in local hospitals and a nurse-to-population ratio of 1:8, the region faces a severe health care worker shortage. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed these workforce gaps. Investing in training programs is more urgent than ever. Through this grant, local health care employers can receive financial support to develop or expand apprenticeship programs, helping to address staffing shortages while simultaneously reducing training costs.
Why Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeship programs provide a cost-effective workforce solution, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience while earning a wage. Because these programs are registered under the Department of Labor, apprentices must be employed and receive progressive wage increases, making them an attractive option for career development.
For employers, apprenticeships offer a financially viable way to train current or new talent while ensuring high-quality, standardized instruction. By partnering with local educational institutions, employers can share training costs and receive administrative support for enrollment and compliance.
How Employers Can Benefit
Workforce Connections will utilize this funding to support 90 apprentices in 2025, covering essential training costs for participating employers. Employers will receive assistance with:
- Establishing registered apprenticeship programs in partnership with local colleges and training institutions
- Navigating the registration process with Apprenticeship Tennessee
- Providing apprentices with hands-on experience, structured training and mentorship
By participating, employers can:
- Fill critical health care positions with trained professionals.
- Lower recruitment costs by developing in-house talent.
- Improve employee retention by offering structured career pathways.
- Strengthen the local health care system and ensure long-term workforce stability
Apply for Funding Today
Are you interested in applying for this funding opportunity?
The grant is available from Feb. 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. If interested in financial support to develop or expand an apprenticeship program, contact Workforce Connections at businessservices@ucworkforce.org.
Apprenticeships are proven to be a reliable workforce solution across industries and can provide a sustainable, long-term strategy for addressing staffing needs. By investing in apprenticeships, the Upper Cumberland region can develop a more sustainable and skilled health care workforce, improve access to medical services and create long-term economic benefits for the community.
Image by pressfoto on Freepik.
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