The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has officially launched the Middle Tennessee Apprenticeship Network (MTAN), the first initiative of its kind in Tennessee aimed at expanding apprenticeship opportunities and strengthening the region’s workforce pipeline.
Announced May 11, the network is designed to help address Middle Tennessee’s growing demand for skilled workers by aligning employers, educators, workforce agencies, and government leaders around registered apprenticeship programs.
The launch comes as Middle Tennessee continues to rank among the nation’s fastest-growing economic regions, attracting investments in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, construction, information technology, nuclear energy, and corporate operations.
Chamber officials say sustaining that growth will require a stronger and more coordinated talent development system.
“Through Partnership 2030, the Chamber’s public-private initiative focused on long-term economic growth, workforce development and regional livability, our region has named a clear goal: strengthening talent pipelines while expanding access to good jobs and economic mobility,” said Daryl Curry, chief talent development officer for the Chamber.
“MTAN puts that goal into action by connecting employers to skilled talent through registered apprenticeships and creating clearer pathways for individuals to learn, earn and grow,” Curry said. “We’re grateful to the many partners who have helped shape this work and who share a commitment to making Middle Tennessee a place where opportunity is within reach for everyone.”
The apprenticeship network seeks to expand career pathways for workers while helping employers meet workforce needs across key industries.
Charity Walker, director of apprenticeships for the Chamber, said the timing is right for the initiative.
“Apprenticeships aren’t just the right strategy for our region, this is the right moment,” Walker said. “With all of the momentum around apprenticeships federally and locally, alignment is key. Employers, educators and organizations are coming together to build. When that kind of synergy shows up, you launch.”
The network’s Stakeholder Steering Committee includes leaders from higher education, workforce development, healthcare, and local government, including representatives from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Tennessee Hospital Association, Tennessee Board of Regents, and the office of Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell.
Brandon Phinx, the state apprenticeship director, said regional collaboration will be critical to the network’s success.
“This network represents exactly the kind of regional collaboration we need to scale Registered Apprenticeship across Middle Tennessee,” Phinx said. “By bringing together employers, education partners and workforce leaders, we can better align our efforts to meet industry demand and create meaningful career pathways for Tennesseans.”
As the region’s leading economic development organization, the Chamber said it is uniquely positioned to coordinate the effort through its relationships with employers, educators, and workforce agencies. Officials added that employer feedback will play a major role in shaping apprenticeship programs moving forward.
