Driving Tennessee’s Economic Prosperity

The UT System fuels economic growth across Tennessee. From developing top talent for in-demand sectors to upskilling today’s workers for future jobs, we’re building talent pathways through creative industry partnerships and flexible programs.

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Building Tennessee’s Talent Pipeline

Explore the leading fields of study preparing graduates for careers across Tennessee.

The UT System produces more workforce-ready graduates than any other university in Tennessee—and more than 60% stay here. From health care to manufacturing and engineering, we’re filling the talent pipeline for jobs in critical industries.

Bar Chart showing the number of degrees award at UT by job discipline.

UT–Volkswagen Partnership: Innovation and Workforce Development

See how UT is helping connect Tennesseans with hands-on technical training and career pathways in high-demand fields.

Closing Labor Gaps

Tennessee needs skilled talent, and the UT System is answering the call. We are growing enrollment, launching targeted and creative academic programs and providing training for workers tackling the jobs of the future.

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Workforce and Economic Development in Action

From Volkswagen to Regional One Health, the UT System is teaming up with major employers and local leaders to solve challenges, strengthen communities and fuel workforce and economic development across the state.

  • UT Knoxville’s collaboration with Volkswagen and Oak Ridge National Laboratory is accelerating research breakthroughs—from lighter auto materials to wireless EV charging—fueling workforce development and strengthening Tennessee’s global leadership in mobility innovation.

  • The UT Chattanooga Quantum Center and the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga are pioneering the nation’s first commercial quantum network — advancing research, attracting industry and training a new generation of quantum scientists and engineers in Tennessee.

  • UT Martin students and faculty are helping shape the future of West Tennessee, partnering with Ford’s BlueOval City to identify workforce needs and support equitable economic growth around the $5.6 billion megasite.

  • UT’s Center for Industrial Services and the American Job Center network are connecting Tennesseans to training, resources and careers — helping individuals like Jonathan Stewart build brighter futures and strengthen the state’s workforce.

  • The UT Institute of Agriculture’s partnership with Yee-Haw Brewing is helping specialty crop farmers tap into Tennessee’s growing hops market — linking research, hands-on training and economic growth through a custom-brewed collaboration.

  • The UT Health Science Center and Regional One Health are partnering to create a state-of-the-art academic medical center in downtown Memphis — strengthening health care access, modernizing facilities and preparing the next generation of professionals.

Strategic Partner to Industry

Whether you’re looking to develop a talent training program, explore a systemwide initiative or discuss a partnership with a specific UT campus or institute, we want to strategize with you. Contact us, and we’ll find solutions with the right UT resource.

Victoria Hirschberg

Assistant Vice President and Chief Economic Development Director
Email: victoria@tennessee.edu

Join UT in Shaping Tennessee

Tennessee’s future depends on strategic investment and bold ideas. Help UT continue building a stronger, smarter state — one graduate, partnership and breakthrough at a time.