Tennessee's Future Workforce Framework

About this episode

The episode discusses Tennessee's Future Workforce Framework and how tnAchieves is addressing challenges faced by students in workforce readiness.

In this special edition of At Scale, tnAchieves releases Tennessee’s Future Workforce Framework, a new strategy grounded in student voice and nearly two decades of experience supporting postsecondary access, persistence and workforce readiness. Drawing from survey responses from nearly 6,000 students, the framework highlights key challenges facing Tennessee students today—from financial hardship and limited career exposure to gaps in workforce connections and emerging technology readiness. Krissy DeAlejandro and Tyler Ford join Ben Sterling to discuss how tnAchieves is responding to those challenges through coaching, workforce mentorship, job shadowing and AI-informed career preparation—and why long-term success depends on stronger alignment across K–12, postsecondary institutions and business and industry. The episode also explores the five commitments outlined in the framework and what it will take for Tennessee to move beyond access and completion metrics toward true economic mobility for students. Support At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast Links: Tennessee's Future Workforce Framework — For nearly two decades, tnAchieves has helped Tennessee students navigate the…

People in this episode

Host: Ben Sterling

Guests: Krissy DeAlejandro, Tyler Ford

Topics covered

• workforce development
• student support
• career readiness
• education strategy
• economic mobility

Keywords

• Tennessee
• workforce framework
• student voice
• career preparation
• economic mobility

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: tnAchieves

Places: Tennessee

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• Taking the "Idea On A Whiteboard" Statewide with Governor Bill Haslam · April 6, 2026 · 38 min
• Securing Futures for Middle Tennessee Students with Tara Scarlett · March 9, 2026 · 40 min