Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips announced the department has awarded $23,412 in Incumbent Worker Training Grants to Wearwell in Smyrna. The Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWT) is a competitive grant program that provides funding to help eligible Tennessee's businesses stay competitive through skills upgrades and process improvement training for existing full-time employees.

"By helping employers throughout the state provide the necessary training and education for their employees, Tennessee companies can remain competitive in an ever-changing marketplace," Gov. Bill Haslam said.

"So far this year, we have awarded more than $509,000 in Incumbent Worker Grants to 27 Tennessee businesses benefiting 1055 workers," Commissioner Phillips said. "Since the program's inception, Incumbent Worker Grants have assisted 700 businesses by providing nearly $17 million to train approximately 55,000 employees."

The following criteria must be met to qualify for the Incumbent Worker Training Program. Employers must be in operation in Tennessee for at least one year prior to application date. Employers must have at least five full-time employees, demonstrate financial viability and be current on all state tax obligations. Funding priority is given to businesses whose grant proposals represent a significant layoff avoidance strategy and represent a significant upgrade of skills.

In their application for the grant, Wearwell stated this grant would provide training encompassing all areas of management and customer service skills including job instruction, methods, improvement, and leadership.

The Nashville Career Advancement Center played a key role in awarding the grant to Wearwell.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the Incumbent Worker Training program. The program has been structured to be flexible to meet the business's training objectives. The business may use public, private, or its own in-house training provider based on the nature of the training.

MORE JOB NEWS FROM TENNESSEE:

Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips today announced the department has awarded $17,885 in Incumbent Worker Training Grants to Parthenon - A Division of Leggett & Platt, Inc. in La Vergne. The Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWT) is a competitive grant program that provides funding to help eligible Tennessee's businesses stay competitive through skills upgrades and process improvement training for existing full-time employees.

"By helping employers throughout the state provide the necessary training and education for their employees, Tennessee companies can remain competitive in an ever-changing marketplace," Gov. Bill Haslam said.

"So far this year, we have awarded more than $509,000 in Incumbent Worker Grants to 27 Tennessee businesses benefiting 1055 workers," Commissioner Phillips said. "Since the program's inception, Incumbent Worker Grants have assisted 700 businesses by providing nearly $17 million to train approximately 55,000 employees."

The following criteria must be met to qualify for the Incumbent Worker Training Program. Employers must be in operation in Tennessee for at least one year prior to application date. Employers must have at least five full-time employees, demonstrate financial viability and be current on all state tax obligations. Funding priority is given to businesses whose grant proposals represent a significant layoff avoidance strategy and represent a significant upgrade of skills.

In their application for the grant, Parthenon - A Division of Leggett & Platt, Inc. stated this grant would allow employees to upgrade the skills necessary to operate capital equipment purchases that involve the latest programmable logic controllers and robotic technology.

The Nashville Career Advancement Center played a key role in awarding the grant to Parthenon - A Division of Leggett & Platt, Inc.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the Incumbent Worker Training program. The program has been structured to be flexible to meet the business's training objectives. The business may use public, private, or its own in-house training provider based on the nature of the training.