Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order (EO) on Tuesday that seeks to strengthen the state’s workforce program.
This EO requires the State Workforce Development Board (SWDR) to adopt a results-driven approach that aligns education and training with the changing needs of employers and industries.
The SWDR has additional responsibilities compared to its previous role, as outlined in an earlier Lee EO. This board will now collaborate with different industries to address education barriers.
In addition, SWDR will advise the governor on the effectiveness of Tennessee schools in preparing students for college or technical skills training.
To help individuals who struggle to enter the workforce, the SWDR will focus on addressing barriers that prevent them from doing so.
Lee’s press release says SWDR “the central strategic leadership body guiding Tennessee’s broader workforce agenda by leveraging technology and employer partners to personalize career pathways, drive continuous innovation, and maximize public return on investment.”
Thirty-three people sit on this board, representing leaders from state government, organized labor, business, and education.
“The state with the workers will win the future, and that’s why workforce development has been one of my top priorities since day one,” said Lee.
“As companies continue to invest in Tennessee and create high-quality jobs, continued coordination across state government and public-private partnerships will be necessary to unlock our full economic potential and create greater opportunity for all Tennesseans to thrive,” he added.
During the 2025 legislative session, Lee allocated nearly $100 million for workforce development. Lee made two investments of $25 million.
The first one went towards FastTrack grants to recruit new business to Tennessee and support workforce development. The second one was spent on the RevV program, which connects private companies with Tennessee’s research institutions to drive research and development and job creation.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected].
20 million here, 20 million there……rich get off easy and the poor pays the bill
More government waste to pay for. Thought this guy was supposed to be a conservative.
Taxpayer funded giveaways. The ROI does not seem to benefit anyone other than campaign donors. Of course creating more government jobs for friends, family and political insiders can be chalked up as a win. Bridgestone and Sports Stadiums, boondoggles with public benefit, the list and money wasted is endless.