Empowering Employers: How Workforce Connections Helps Businesses Join the Fight Against Poverty
At Workforce Connections, we believe lasting change happens when employers are part of the solution. Through our partnership with Empower Upper Cumberland, we’re helping businesses across our region take an active role in lifting families out of poverty—starting with one key step: becoming a Certified Empower Employer.
What Is the Certified Employer Program?
Empower Upper Cumberland is a regional anti-poverty initiative working to support families through personalized coaching, peer support, education, and employment. But none of that works without employers who are willing to provide opportunity and stability.
That’s where the Certified Employer Program comes in. Through Workforce Connections, we certify local businesses that commit to:
Hiring Empower participants
Providing on-the-job mentorship
Offering flexible, supportive environments for families in transition
Why Become Certified?
Certified employers don’t just help—they benefit. As part of the program, businesses gain access to:
Wage reimbursement for eligible hires
Recruiting support from Workforce Connections staff
Poverty-informed training to better understand employee barriers and boost retention
A public designation as an Empower Partner committed to community impact
We help employers tap into a new pool of motivated, supported, and coached candidates—people who are actively working toward long-term stability with the help of Empower Navigators.
Who’s Getting Involved?
From retail and healthcare to logistics and construction, businesses across the Upper Cumberland are stepping up. Whether they’re hiring one person or ten, Empower Employers are helping rebuild the workforce—and reshape what opportunity looks like.
How to Get Started
Becoming certified is simple. Reach out to our team at Workforce Connections, and we’ll guide you through the short application and help match your business with qualified candidates. You’ll receive ongoing support, training, and visibility as a partner in one of the region’s most impactful initiatives.
👉 Ready to learn more? Visit ucwork.org/empower or email us at info@ucwork.org to connect.
Workforce Connections is proud to stand with Empower Upper Cumberland, building bridges between families and employers—and changing lives across our communities.
Let’s grow opportunity. Together.
