Tennessee Grow Your Own Center Hosts Advancing Apprenticeship Conferences

Category: News

The Tennessee Grow Your Own Center hosted three Advancing Apprenticeship Conferences in fall 2024. These first-of-their-kind regional events provided an opportunity for collaboration among school districts, colleges, universities, workforce boards and state agencies to advance educator apprenticeship programs.

The conferences were hosted in three locations to ensure broad participation. The middle Tennessee convening took place on Oct. 17 at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, while the west Tennessee event followed on Oct. 21 at the FedEx Institute of Technology in Memphis. The series concluded on Nov. 18 with the east Tennessee conference at the UT Conference Center in Knoxville.

These events connected leaders of educator apprenticeship programs, including representatives from local education agencies (LEAs), educator preparation programs (EPPs), charter schools, local workforce boards, the Tennessee Office of Apprenticeship and the Tennessee Department of Education. Participants explored the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center’s strategic plan and goals for 2025–2030, which provided a forward-looking vision for the future of teacher apprenticeships. Panel discussions featured regional experts and guest speakers, including representatives from the Educator Registered Apprenticeship Intermediary and the Competency-Based Education Network, offering national perspectives and expertise.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in role-alike and cross-functional collaboration, allowing them to share ideas and address shared challenges. The format also included on-site technical assistance to support attendees in creating tailored action plans for their apprenticeship programs.

The impact of these conferences was evident in their ability to foster lasting connections and inspire action. Participants represented 33 LEA partners, 11 EPPs, seven community colleges, workforce boards and other organizations across the state. Attendees overwhelmingly appreciated the event’s structure, with many reporting the perfect balance of collaboration and presented material. Ninety-one percent of participants indicated plans to connect with colleagues beyond the event, strengthening a network of support that extends far beyond the conference itself.

The success of the Advancing Apprenticeship Conferences highlights Tennessee’s leadership in educator apprenticeship innovation. Moving forward, the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center plans to build on this momentum by hosting similar events, further solidifying the state’s role in strengthening educator pipelines and addressing workforce development needs.

For more information or to inquire about future events, please contact the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center at growyourown@tennessee.edu.