Department of
Economic & Community Development
Bill Hagerty, Commissioner

FastTrack Job Training Assistance (FJTAP) This incentive is available to both new and expanding industry and begins with a company developing a training plan including the number of people to be hired, types of skills required and types of training needed. The plan is developed in conjunction with the FastTrack staff and is designed to be customizable and flexible. Companies will track costs associated with implementation of the training program, then submit to the state for reimbursement.

Job training assistance can include either traditional or job based training reimbursement.

Traditional training and reimbursement may include:

Classroom instruction.
On-the-job training.
Vendor training from the actual manufacturer of a piece of industrial equipment.
System support for certain types of plant-wide or company-wide applications.
Development and coordination of instructional materials and training programs.
Travel related to training.

A potentially faster method for reimbursement of training costs, companies may seek reimbursement from the state of Tennessee once a job creation commitment and cost-per-job is established. JBT is available in FJTAP as well as Tennessee Job Skills (TJS) as a possible reimbursement method.

In order to qualify, companies must work with ECD to reach a contractual agreement that determines:

The cost-per-job and the total commitment of jobs.
Once agreed upon with ECD, companies can seek reimbursement of 50% of the cost-per-job within the first 90 days after the job is created and maintained. The remaining 50% can be claimed 180 days after the job is created and maintained.
The company must agree to provide documentation, including the number of jobs created.
Multi-year contracts between a company and ECD can be reached to accommodate multi-year job creation projects.
If the total commitment of jobs is reached, companies may seek the entire training reimbursement allocation through JBT.

More information about FJTAP can be obtained by calling (615) 741-6201.

Similar to FJTAP, but with a focus on employers and industries that create high-skill, high-wage jobs in emerging, high-demand and technology focused sectors of the economy. Training staff will work with companies to develop a unique, flexible, comprehensive training plan that meets the company's initial training needs and will then follow up to insure each phase of the program meets the company's needs. Companies track costs and apply to the State for reimbursement. Reimbursement rates depend on the level of training and the types of instructors utilized.

More information about TJS can be obtained by calling (615) 741-6201.

Utilizing the company's job specifications, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development will recruit and screen job applicants through the department's Job Service Division. Those applicants meeting the company's criteria will be forwarded to the company for hiring consideration. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development also provides:

Leadership training for supervisors, team leaders and managers on interpersonal skills required to motivate employees.
Team training in which interpersonal communication is essential between supervisors and team members.
Instructor certification based on a company's specific requirements.

For more information on the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, please visit http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/.

FJTAP is administered regionally by training specialists. Contact a specialist in your region now.

For more information about FJTAP, contact Jeff Bolton at (615) 253-1909.