The state of Tennessee, in partnership with the Tennessee Grocer and Convenience Store Association, Tennessee Retail Association, and Hospitality TN, has formed the Tennessee Talent Exchange to help workers losing their jobs at restaurants, hotels, stores and other businesses find new jobs at growing supermarkets.
The goal of the exchange is to quickly match Tennesseans who are out of work due to the COVID-19 health emergency with companies currently experiencing a surge in business.
“Unemployment benefits are a safety net to help someone make ends meet, but transitioning to a job is the ultimate goal,” said Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Jeff McCord. “This partnership creates a pathway that puts Tennesseans to work right away in businesses that need them now.”
Businesses that provide essential services; grocers, convenience stores, and other retailers need extra employees right now to keep up with demand.
“As our industry is working double-time to keep shelves stocked, we are more than excited to be working with the state of Tennessee to bring furloughed workers onto our companies’ payrolls,’ said Rob Ikard, president of Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association.