The state of Tennessee is working with the Federal government and local partners to make employment training more accessible to participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), in an effort to help them gain skills needed to find meaningful employment.

The Southeast Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service joined the Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Chief Officer for the Tennessee Department of Human Services and the CEO of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee at an event Wednesday to highlight the partnership between the organizations.

"We commend Tennessee's Department of Labor and Workforce Development for embracing SNAP Employment and Training as part of its workforce strategy," said Robin Bailey, Jr., Southeast Regional Administrator for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. "And as one of ten states to be selected for USDA's SNAP to Skills Project, we are committed to providing direct and intensive technical assistance, bringing new tools and resources to Tennessee to build job-driven SNAP E&T programs that help SNAP participants gain skills, find work and ultimately become self-sufficient."

Tennessee is one of the first states in the nation to integrate SNAP E&T into its workforce services strategy. Tennessee expects to help more than 46,000 participants gain job skills during the 2016 program year.

"Working with the USDA on the federal level, and DHS here in Tennessee, then partnering with local organizations like Goodwill, will enable Tennessee to put tens of thousands of people on the path to better employment," said Commissioner Burns Phillips with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

SNAP E&T opportunities are currently offered in 51 Tennessee counties through September 30, 2016. In October 2017 SNAP E&T will be available in all 95 Tennessee counties.

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee is a local partner working with the USDA and the state agencies to provide training classes to SNAP participants.

"SNAP'S Employment and Training initiative will allow Goodwill to do what we do best - changing lives through education, training and employment. SNAP recipients will have total access to Goodwill's powerful Career Solutions Center's job training programs to help them improve their work skills, gain job-specific credentials, and take educational classes, including high school equivalency test training and college readiness," said Matthew Bourlakas, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee.

Local SNAP E&T partners are either fully reimbursed by the USDA, or the agency covers half the cost of implementing classes and programs at its facilities.

SNAP E&T compliments Governor Bill Haslam's "Drive to 55" initiative by steering SNAP participants towards post-secondary education. Governor Haslam has set a goal to have 55 percent of Tennesseans earn a degree or certificate by 2025. SNAP E&T can be the catalyst many participants need to pursue education and training beyond a high school diploma.