Marla and AndreaAndrea Dillard and I were asked to present at the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development WIOA/ TAA Conference held in Nashville this week.

On Wednesday, we presented a total of five sessions. Over 200 workforce development professionals across Tennessee, as well as representatives from Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina, were on hand to learn more about the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program. Andrea and I had the opportunity to share with the group our experience in Robertson County when the Sensata plant closed. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development selected Workforce Essentials to pilot a partnership to enhance the delivery of training services at the local level. Specifically, the State expressed an interest in offering On-the-Job Training opportunities to Sensata workers. At the conference, we explained the differences between OJTs under WIOA Title I and TAA. We used an interactive software platform to inform our audience through a series of questions and answers. It was a great event!

Marla W. Rye, President

The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program is a federal program that assists US workers who have lost their jobs as a result of foreign trade. The TAA program seeks to provide these trade-affected workers with opportunities to obtain the skills, resources, and support they need to become reemployed.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), passed in 2014, is a law that strengthens opportunities and provides resources for people who have challenges securing employment.