Our Programs
Upper Cumberland Workforce Development has many offerings for both job seekers and employers. For more information on any of the services found below, please call our Central Office or one of our field offices found throughout the Upper Cumberland area.
• Adult, Youth, and Dislocated Worker Training
The Cookeville American Job Center offers education and training support through the workforce innovation and opportunity act program. WIOA provides individualized career services, basic career services, and training services to better prepare clients for the workforce. Case Management and supportive services are available to eligible American Job Center participants.
• Adult Education (Title II)
District 3 Tennessee Adult Education offers free high school equivalency prep classes to adults who are at least 18 years old, are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school, and meet eligibility requirements. Classes are available throughout the Upper Cumberland during the day, at night, or on the weekends depending upon location. Online classes for distance learners are available for those who qualify.
• Vocational Rehabilitation (Title IV)
The Vocational Rehabilitation Program provides a variety of individualized services to people with disabilities in preparation for their employment in the competitive labor market. VR advocates employment outcomes for clients that are consistent with their individual strengths, resources, abilities, capabilities and informed choice.
• Title V: SCSEP/SSAI
The Title V program is designated for individuals 55 and older that are in need of skill development to gain employment. In order to be eligible for this program, participants must meet the income guidelines and complete the required paperwork. Through the Title V program, participants are placed in worksites throughout the community to learn valuable skills that they can use in the workforce following the completion of the program.
• SNAP E&T (Title III)
The supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training prepares SNAP recipients for employment through work related education and training activities. Any SNAP recipient that does not receive TANF or Social Security Benefits can volunteer for the SNAP E&T program to gain support for education and training programs.
• Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (Title III)
Specialists develop job opportunities for Veterans, with special emphasis on those with service connected disabilities. DVOP’s provide direct services to Veterans enabling them to be competitive in the labor market. They provide outreach for Veterans through training opportunities and communication with employers.
• Local Veterans’ Employment Representative
The LVER, a Wagner Peyser Act program, is responsible for advocating for the hiring of Veterans, as a priority of service to employers, employer associations, and business groups. This is accomplished by conducting:
• Employer outreach including job fairs and hiring events
• Conducting job search groups and workshops that include Veterans, as well as the public
• Coordinating with unions, apprenticeship programs, and businesses to promote and secure employment and training for Veterans
• Coordinating and participating in other business outreach efforts
• RESEA
RESEA stands for Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment. This federally funded program provides intensive reemployment services to eligible claimants receiving unemployment benefits who are selected to participate. Once an unemployment claim is filed and a customer is selected, it is a federal requirement that the customer participate in the RESEA program to continue to receive their unemployment benefits. RESEA services provided include:
A one-on-one assessment of the claimants’ continuing unemployment benefit eligibility;
Support in the development of an individual reemployment plan;
Customized career and labor market information;
Enrollment in the Wagner-Peyser Employment Service; and
Information and access to other AJC services and resources that support the claimant’s return to work.
If you have been selected to participate in RESEA and have questions, you may contact Gayle.Age@tn.gov
• Trade Readjustment Allowance and Adjustment Assistance
The readjustment allowance is an income support payment to individuals who have exhausted UI Compensation and whose jobs were affected by foreign imports, as determined by the Department of Labor. The Adjustment Assistance is a federal program that provides aid to workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of increased imports.
Crossville – Tammy Tackett, 931.459.6619, email: Tammy.Tackett@tn.gov
Cookeville – Anna Parnham, 931.520.9502, email: Anna.Parnham@tn.gov
• Migrant & Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) Program
The Migrant & Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) program provides services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents. Career Services and Training grant recipients help farmworkers and their dependents acquire necessary skills to either stabilize or advance in their agricultural jobs or obtain employment in new industries. The Tennessee MSFW program assists migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their employers by offering services aimed at improving living and working conditions.
Crossville – Bennie Brown, 931-459-6630, email: Bennie.a.Brown@tn.gov
Cookeville – Kristin McCloud, 931.520.9533, email: Kristin.Mccloud@tn.gov
Learn more about the services available to migrant and seasonal farmworkers: MSFW Program
• Tennessee Opportunity (TOPS)/National Farmworker Jobs (NFWJ) Program
Providing Services To Migrant & Seasonal Farmworkers By Core Services, Work Experience, Classroom Training, Career Counseling, Job Search Assistance, Job Placement, Related Assistance, Intensive Services.
Crossville – Bennie Brown, 931-459-6630, email: Bennie.a.Brown@tn.gov
Cookeville – Kristin McCloud, 931.520.9533, email: Kristin.Mccloud@tn.gov
Learn more the TOPS and NFWJ program: TOPS Program
• Apprenticeship Training Grant
The Apprenticeship Training Grant (ATG) supports Tennessee employers that are interested in starting an apprenticeship program or are already authorized providers of the Registered Apprenticeship Program through US/DOL-Office of Apprenticeships. The training grant will assist companies or organizations that support and implement the following opportunities:
• On-the-Job Training (OJT) assistance for eligible dislocated workers entering an apprenticeship program as a new hire, and/or
• Provide assistance for classroom training to existing first or second-year apprentices, and/or
• Provides assistance for classroom training to participants in a pre-apprenticeship program
If you are interested in developing an apprenticeship program or learning more about apprenticeship funding, reach out to businessservices@ucworkforce.org
For more information on these grants, or to complete the pre-application, visit the State of TN Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development website at:
https://www.tn.gov/workforce/employers/training-redirect/grants-for-training.html