Tennessee Department of Education says work-based learning enrollment is increasing statewide

A photo from the Tennessee Department of Education shows high school students in a shop class.

A new report from the Tennessee Department of Education says recent investments in Tennessee’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) and work-based learning (WBL) initiatives will play a critical role in building up the state’s talent pipeline in the years ahead.

According to the report, work-based learning student enrollment has increased for the sixth year in a row, with 22,641 students earning 41,625 credits statewide. The report also noted that 1,213 educators recently completed WBL Coordinator training with a 96 percent satisfaction rating, amid efforts to provide more work-based learning opportunities to students throughout the state.

In addition, the report said, the department created and updated over 30 WBL resources, including a new WBL Coordinator Guide designed “to support WBL educators in building stronger programs for students.” The report said the department will engage with employers and local education agencies (LEAs) to determine new strategies for improving WBL experiences, particularly in rural areas where workforce training is most needed.

According to the Apprenticeship Office at the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, 31 new Tennessee Certified Pre-Apprenticeship programs were also created during the 2023-24 school year, including the summer term. Seven LEAs participated in the pilot Teaching as a Profession Tennessee Certified Pre-Apprenticeship program: Bradley County Schools, Bristol City Schools, Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, Kingsport City Schools, Lawrence County Schools, Lewis County Schools, Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

“In partnership with the Office of Apprenticeship, the department will conduct additional outreach to employers who have questions about starting these programs with LEAs,” the report said of steps moving forward.

The report also took a look at state initiatives like the Tennessee Flagship Industry Partners program, made up of employers whose partnerships “significantly impact student outcomes.” The report said that Flagship Partners are nominated by districts across the state to facilitate students’ transition into postsecondary education and the workforce through student internships, Tennessee Certified Pre-Apprenticeships, registered apprenticeships, paid employment opportunities, career and technical student organization (CTSO) support, and middle and high school CTE program development.

In just three weeks, the report said, a total of 49 nominations were submitted for employers who impacted over 5,000 students.

“With a focus on celebrating industry engagements with schools, Flagship Partners are recognized as trailblazers in workforce development,” the report said.

In addition to CTE and WBL programming, the report made note of several state efforts geared toward increasing students’ skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects to prepare them for an increasingly tech-integrated job market. It said that over 200 CTE courses were revised and sent to the State Board of Education for approval this year, with additional standards that aim to strengthen students’ understanding of artificial intelligence, data analysis, problem-based learning, and the engineering design process. A Data Science program of study has also been developed for use in the 2025-26 school year, amid efforts to modernize the state’s CTE framework.

“The department is working with postsecondary and industry partners to develop programs of study in alternative and sustainable energy, marketing research and analytics, and ecological research. Upon approval by the State Board of Education, these will be available for the 2025-26 school year,” the report added.

For more information on these and other findings in the report, visit www.tn.gov.