Putnam County EMS Receives Apprenticeship Funding to Grow the Next Generation of First Responders
When a 911 call comes in, Putnam County residents count on trained, skilled emergency medical professionals to respond. Now, thanks to a new round of apprenticeship funding secured through Workforce Connections, Putnam County EMS is better positioned than ever to build that workforce from the ground up.
In a recent check presentation, Workforce Connections' Stacey Baxter handed the award to EMS Chief Tommy Copeland; a moment that represents far more than a funding milestone. Joined by Mayor Randy Porter, Deputy Chief Darren Ford, and Billy Price of Putnam County EMS, the occasion marked the result of a sustained effort to connect one of the region's most essential public safety agencies with the resources of Tennessee's registered apprenticeship system.
The funding will support Putnam County EMS's registered apprenticeship program, giving aspiring emergency medical technicians and paramedics a structured, earn-while-you-learn pathway into the field.
"This is exactly the kind of investment that makes our community stronger," said EMS Chief Tommy Copeland.
Tennessee's Commitment to EMS Apprenticeship
Putnam County EMS's award is part of a broader statewide push to expand registered apprenticeship programs across high-demand industries. ApprenticeshipTN, a statewide initiative powered by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, works to grow awareness and adoption of apprenticeship as a workforce strategy; and healthcare and emergency services have become increasingly central to that mission.
Through the Apprenticeship Training Grant, the state provides funding to employers who are developing or expanding registered apprenticeship programs, covering both on-the-job training costs and classroom instruction support. Local workforce development boards, like the Upper Cumberland Local Workforce Development Board, serve as a critical link in that process; helping regional employers navigate the application process, connect with training providers, and access the funds they need to launch or grow their programs.
Workforce Connections Brings the Model to the Upper Cumberland
That's where Stacey Baxter's work has been pivotal. As part of the Workforce Connections team, Baxter has been instrumental in building relationships with Upper Cumberland employers and guiding them through the process of accessing apprenticeship resources that might otherwise be difficult to navigate. Her work with Putnam County EMS is part of a larger regional strategy to expand registered apprenticeship across more industries and more communities throughout the area.
Workforce Connections has been steadily growing its apprenticeship footprint in the Upper Cumberland, working with employers in manufacturing, healthcare, and public safety to develop programs that pair structured on-the-job training with technical education. The goal is straightforward: help local employers build the workforce they need while giving individuals a direct, paid pathway into a lasting career.
Why Apprenticeship Works
The apprenticeship model has a long track record for good reason. Participants earn a wage from day one while developing real-world skills alongside experienced professionals. Completion rates for registered apprenticeship programs are high, and so are retention rates; apprentices who finish a program often stay with their sponsoring employer long-term. For a field like emergency medical services, where burnout and turnover are ongoing challenges, that kind of investment in people can make a meaningful and lasting difference.
For Putnam County EMS, this funding is about more than filling open positions. It's about building a sustainable pipeline of skilled first responders who are trained and committed to serving this community for years to come. With strong local leadership, a willing state partner, and the dedicated work of Workforce Connections behind it, this program is a model worth watching.
To learn more about apprenticeship opportunities in the Upper Cumberland, visit ucwork.org or contact Workforce Connections at businessservices@ucworkforce.org.
