Tennessee – Governor Bill Lee has signed Executive Order 109, aimed at positioning Tennessee as a national leader in workforce development by implementing a coordinated, results-driven approach to align education and training with employer needs and high-growth industries.

The order strengthens the State Workforce Development Board’s role as the central body guiding the state’s workforce strategy. It emphasizes collaboration across state agencies and public-private partnerships to unlock economic potential and create opportunities for Tennesseans.

Governor Lee signed the order alongside students from the Tennessee Youth Employment Program (TYEP) in Knoxville, a program that provides hands-on training and employment opportunities to youth across urban and rural communities. The FY25-26 state budget has invested an additional $7 million to double TYEP participation and establish year-round programming.

The executive order builds on major workforce investments made during the 2025 legislative session, including:

  • $7 million to expand TYEP operations statewide

  • $25 million for FastTrack grants to support business recruitment and workforce development

  • $6.3 million to create a Micro-Credentialing Program for short-term certifications

  • $25 million to expand the RevV initiative connecting private companies and research institutions

  • $5 million to launch TNWORKS, customized workforce training for businesses

  • $5 million for incentive grants supporting Tennessee’s music and film industry

  • $10 million to match federal funds for startup research grants

  • $10 million additional funding for vocational education programs, including nuclear workforce training

  • $4 million to expand workforce planning and grant programs

  • $2 million for workforce training expansion through the Tennessee Board of Regents

Since taking office, the Lee Administration has delivered more than $400 million in tax cuts and eliminated waiting lists for Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), investing $1 billion to improve facilities statewide.

The administration’s vocational and youth employment initiatives have placed thousands of Tennesseans in paid, career-aligned positions and supported the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs and billions in capital investments.

The state has also pioneered innovative programs such as the Teacher Occupation Apprenticeship and the New Pathways adult diploma program, which has helped over 1,000 adults earn high school equivalency diplomas.

By leveraging technology, employer partnerships, and targeted investments, Tennessee aims to equip its workforce for the demands of tomorrow’s economy, ensuring that every Tennessean has access to meaningful career pathways and economic opportunity.