Tennessee Workforce Development Academy
The UT Center for Industrial Services developed the Tennessee Workforce Development (TNWFD) Academy to help bridge the gap between workforce and economic development.
The two-and-a-half day interactive Academy is designed for workforce development professionals, business and HR leaders, community leaders and economic development practitioners. Participants will benefit from panel discussions, networking, and expert instruction to facilitate better alignment among stakeholders. Critical topics include skills gaps, workforce challenges, emerging trends, utilizing data and exploring linkages between workforce development and economic development at the local, regional and state levels.
Key drivers of the TNWFD Academy include:
- Strengthen alliances between workforce development, economic development and industry partners to advance economic development.
- Enhance workforce development systems to address key state and regional goals, particularly in rural and distressed areas.
- Support professional development needs identified by workforce development practitioners.
Who Should Attend?
- Workforce development professionals
- Business leaders and HR professionals
- Community and economic development professionals
Date and Location:
March 3-5, 2026
Holiday Inn Cookeville | 1091 South Willow Avenue, Cookeville, TN 38501 (See booking link under hotel accommodations below)
Course Agenda:
2026 Agenda Coming Soon!
Course Fee:
Registration $595 | Early Registration $545 (By: February 9, 2026)
The registration fee covers course instruction. Course materials, Lunch (days 1-3), Breakfast (days 2-3), one networking reception (day 1), and refreshment breaks are complimentary. Registration does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited to 50 participants and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please remit payment for the course no later than 10-days prior to the course start date. If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the wait list.
Course Times:
Onsite check-in: 9:00 AM
Day 1: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM*
Day 2: 8:15 AM - 5:15 PM
Day 3: 8:15 AM - 2:00 PM
*Networking reception Day 1: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Registration:
If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us at 615-253-6371 or email us here. You may also register by submitting a Course Registration Form by email.
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
Cancellations made 7 days or more prior to the course start date will be eligible for a full refund or credit. Cancellations made less than 7 days will be eligible for credit only for a future course.
Hotel Accommodations:
Holiday Inn Cookeville | 1091 South Willow Avenue, Cookeville, TN 38501 - A limited number of rooms will be reserved at a discounted rate of $110. Make your reservations by February 3, 2026 to receive the groups rate. Click here to reserve your room and be sure to select the dates you need to stay for our group rate. Please book early as the block could fill up!
This link and rate code are only available for registered course attendees. If the special rate is used by individuals not listed on the course roster, the reservation will be cancelled, and applicable fees will be applied to the credit card used to book the reservation.
Scholarships:
TNWFD Academy scholarships aim to support rural leadership development and workforce collaboration by providing opportunities to participate in the Tennessee Workforce Development (TNWFD) Academy.
Preference will be given to applicants who:
- Serve at-risk or distressed counties in Tennessee
- Have limited access to professional development funding and would be unable to attend without scholarship support
- Are new to the workforce development field or have fewer than five years of experience
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to workforce development and advancing rural development by applying the skills and knowledge gained through the TNWFD Academy
TNWFD Academy Scholarship
A limited number of general scholarships are available to course participants from Tennessee. Scholarships cover $445 of the $545 early registration fee. Please note that hotel, travel and evening meals are not covered.
Scholarship recipients will pay $100 of the tuition cost, which is non-refundable should the participant withdraw from the course after award acceptance.
All scholarship applications should be received by January 20, 2026 to be considered.
If applying for a scholarship, a registration link will be provided to you by email and you will need to request an invoice as your payment option. If the scholarship is awarded, the invoice will be revised to $100. If a scholarship is not awarded, applicants may decide to keep the seat or withdraw at the time of notification with no penalty. Scholarships are non-transferable.
Applications for scholarships can be found and submitted here: Scholarship Application
Dress Code:
The attire for the course is business casual.
Contact Autumn Derrick, Workforce Development Consultant, for more information at Autumn.Derrick@tennessee.edu. Follow UT CIS on Facebook, X and LinkedIn to get the latest news about this opportunity!
See our past TNWFD Academy Graduates: