Yesterday, Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 109 to bolster Tennessee’s workforce development, reinforcing the state’s leadership in aligning education and training with the needs of its dynamic labor market. The order enhances the State Workforce Development Board’s role as the central body guiding Tennessee’s workforce strategy, leveraging technology and employer partnerships to create personalized career pathways and drive innovation. Signed alongside students in the Tennessee Youth Employment Program (TYEP) in Knoxville, the order supports initiatives like TYEP’s $7 million expansion to double participation and operate year-round, equipping youth with hands-on training for full-time jobs. The 2025 legislative session saw significant investments, including $25 million for FastTrack grants, $6.3 million for a Micro-Credentialing Program, $25 million for the RevV program to spur research and job creation, and $5 million for TNWORKS to tailor training for businesses. Additional funding supported the entertainment industry, small business innovation, nuclear workforce education, and the Tennessee Board of Regents’ workforce programs. The Lee Administration’s achievements include over $400 million in tax cuts via the Tennessee Works Act, eliminating the 12,000-person TCAT waiting list with a $1 billion investment, placing 4,800+ youths in paid positions through TYEP, and serving 15,500 rural students via the GIVE Act, sparking 41,500 jobs and $19 billion in investment. Tennessee also pioneered the nation’s first Teacher Occupation Apprenticeship, the New Pathways program for adult high school equivalency, and expanded its Apprenticeship Agency to support nearly 10,000 apprentices, ensuring Tennesseans have diverse opportunities to thrive in high-demand industries.