Tennessee State libraries employing new program to aid job-seekers
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Public libraries in Tennessee are launching a new program to help people looking for jobs get foundational work skills and land interviews.
The program–called the Library-based Employment, Growth, and Upskilling Program (LEGUP)–was created by the Tennessee State Library & Archives and will be free to both job seekers and businesses. It’s being piloted by eighteen libraries in West Tennessee, with the possibility to expand to other parts of the state in the future, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett said.
“Every year, thousands of Tennessee residents go into their local library looking for help,” Hargett said. “Our workforce program is designed to help get job seekers onto a solid career path. At the same time, it aims to help employers find entry-level workers who possess strong foundational skills and will be ready to contribute to their company right away. We are grateful to the area legislators for supporting this initiative.”
The program will allow job-seekers to earn a State Library-backed “microcredential” by finishing a 16-hour online training course in “foundational job-readiness skills” such as time management, problem solving, or teamwork. It will also provide an introduction to one of three major industries: manufacturing, warehousing, or healthcare.
Employers who join the program have agreed to guarantee interviews to those who have completed the training when an applicable entry-level position opens, though the interview would not be a guarantee of employment.
More than a dozen businesses have joined the initiative, including ABB, AutoZone, Charms-Tootsie Roll, Chemring Countermeasures USA, DeWayne’s Quality Metal Coatings, Henderson Stamping & Production, Jones Exhaust Systems, MAT Holdings, Tyson Foods, Unilever, United States Cold Storage, West Tennessee Healthcare, and Wise Co.
“Our slogan for LEGUP is, ’16 hours that can change your life,'” said State Librarian and Archivist Jamie Ritter. “This is a great way for someone who has had trouble finding a job to show an employer that they have committed 16 hours of upskilling to polish their skills, demonstrate a willingness to learn, and are determined to succeed.”
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