The American Job Center
Our American Job Centers are designed to provide wrap-around employment services for job seekers in the Upper Cumberland region.
American Job Centers (AJCs) in Tennessee provide a broad array of services to job seekers, including various partner programs that address the diverse needs of individuals looking for employment, skill development, and support. These partner programs collaborate with the AJCs to offer comprehensive workforce development services. How to access these services, Justice-involved individuals, veterans, youth, and other job seekers can visit any of Tennessee’s American Job Centers to access these services. Many services can also be accessed online or through phone consultations.
Our services.
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Adult, Youth, and Dislocated Worker Training (Title I)
The Cookeville American Job Center offers education and training support through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program. WIOA provides career, training and supportive services for unemployed or underemployed adults, with priority for individuals who are low income or with barriers to employment. Services can also include career counseling, job search assistance, retraining and supportive services for eligible participants.
Contact Team Lead:
Luke Eldridge lukeeldridge@careerteam.com
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Adult Education (Title II)
District 3 Tennessee Adult Education offers free high school equivalency prep classes to adults who are at least 18 years old, are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school, and meet eligibility requirements. Classes are available throughout the Upper Cumberland during the day, at night, or on the weekends depending upon location. Online classes for distance learners are available for those who qualify.
Contact Team Lead:
Linda Huddleston linda.huddleston@tn.gov
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Wagner - Peyser (Title III)
Wagner - Peyser provides comprehensive employment services for job seekers. We offer job search and placement support by providing local job listings, job search resources, and one-on-one career counseling to assist individuals in finding suitable job opportunities. Many partner programs offer specialized job search support for specific groups, including veterans, youth, people with disabilities, and justice-involved individuals. See our specialized program information under additional services.
Contact Team Leads:
Cookeville Location: Kristin McCloud Kristin.Mccloud@tn.gov
Crossville Location: Bennie Brown Bennie.A.Brown@tn.gov
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Vocational Rehabilitation (Title IV)
The Vocational Rehabilitation Program provides a variety of individualized services to people with disabilities in preparation for their employment in the competitive labor market. VR advocates employment outcomes for clients that are consistent with their individual strengths, resources, abilities, capabilities and informed choice.
Contact Team Lead:
Tonya Cherry tonya.m.cherry@tn.gov
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SCSEP/SSAI (Title V)
The goal of SCSEP (Title V) is to help individuals 55 and older improve their professional skills, gain work experience, and transition into permanent, unsubsidized employment while carefully maintaining their eligibility for benefits. In order to be eligible for this program, participants must meet the income guidelines and complete the required paperwork. Through the Title V program, participants are placed in worksites throughout the community to learn valuable skills that they can use in the workforce following the completion of the program.
Contact Team Lead:
Luke Eldridge lukeeldridge@careerteam.com
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WIOA Youth Program
The Youth program strives in providing high-quality services for youth beginning with career exploration and guidance; continuing support for educational attainment, opportunities for skills training in in-demand industries and occupations. This program also assists in enrollment into postsecondary education, or in a Registered Apprenticeship program. WIOA Youth eligibility is those who are 16-24 years of age facing specific barriers to employment or school completion.
Contact Team Lead
Luke Eldridge lukeeldridge@careerteam.com
Additional services.
SNAP E&T (Title III)
The supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training prepares SNAP recipients for employment through work related education and training activities. Any SNAP recipient that does not receive TANF or Social Security Benefits can volunteer for the SNAP E&T program to gain support for education and training programs.
Crossville – Donna Faircloth, 931.459.6631, email: Donna.Faircloth@tn.gov
Cookeville – Paul Skelley, 931.520.9534, email: Paul.Skelley@tn.gov
Supportive Services for Job Seekers
Transportation Assistance: Some AJCs and partner programs offer transportation services or assistance to help individuals attend job interviews, training, or employment.
Childcare Services: AJCs may connect individuals to programs that provide childcare assistance while they attend training or work.
Financial Assistance: Some partner programs help with emergency financial assistance, including housing and utility support, to reduce barriers to employment.
RESEA
RESEA stands for Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment. This federally funded program provides intensive reemployment services to eligible claimants receiving unemployment benefits who are selected to participate. Once an unemployment claim is filed and a customer is selected, it is a federal requirement that the customer participate in the RESEA program to continue to receive their unemployment benefits. RESEA services provided include:
A one-on-one assessment of the claimants’ continuing unemployment benefit eligibility;
Support in the development of an individual reemployment plan;
Customized career and labor market information;
Enrollment in the Wagner-Peyser Employment Service; and
Information and access to other AJC services and resources that support the claimant’s return to work.
If you have been selected to participate in RESEA and have questions, you may contact Gayle.Age@tn.gov
Veterans’ Services
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (Title III): Specialists develop job opportunities for Veterans, with special emphasis on those with service-connected disabilities. DVOP’s provide direct services to Veterans, enabling them to be competitive in the labor market. They provide outreach for Veterans through training opportunities and communication with employers.
Local Veterans’ Employment Representative (Title III): The LVER, a Wagner Peyser Act program, is responsible for advocating for the hiring of Veterans as a priority of service to employers, employer associations, and business groups. This is accomplished by conducting:
• Employer outreach, including job fairs and hiring events
• Conducting job search groups and workshops that include Veterans, as well as the public
• Coordinating with unions, apprenticeship programs, and businesses to promote and secure employment and training for Veterans
• Coordinating and participating in other business outreach efforts
If you are interested in receiving Veterans’ Services or learning more, please contact Marcus Salazar, 931.520.9536, email: Marcus.Salazar@tn.gov
Trade Readjustment Allowance and Adjustment Assistance
The readjustment allowance is an income support payment to individuals who have exhausted UI Compensation and whose jobs were affected by foreign imports, as determined by the Department of Labor. The Adjustment Assistance is a federal program that provides aid to workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of international trade. Available support includes training opportunities, job search assistance, and funding for education.
Crossville – Tammy Tackett, 931.459.6619, email: Tammy.Tackett@tn.gov
Cookeville – Anna Parnham, 931.520.9502, email: Anna.Parnham@tn.gov
Migrant & Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) Program
The Migrant & Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) program provides services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents. Career Services and Training grant recipients help farmworkers and their dependents acquire necessary skills to either stabilize or advance in their agricultural jobs or obtain employment in new industries. The Tennessee MSFW program assists migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their employers by offering services aimed at improving living and working conditions.
Crossville – Bennie Brown, 931-459-6630, email: Bennie.a.Brown@tn.gov
Cookeville – Kristin McCloud, 931.520.9533, email: Kristin.Mccloud@tn.gov
Learn more about the services available to migrant and seasonal farmworkers:
Tennessee Opportunity (TOPS)/National Farmworker Jobs (NFWJ) Program
Providing Services To Migrant & Seasonal Farmworkers By Core Services, Work Experience, Classroom Training, Career Counseling, Job Search Assistance, Job Placement, Related Assistance, Intensive Services.
Crossville – Bennie Brown, 931-459-6630, email: Bennie.a.Brown@tn.gov
Cookeville – Kristin McCloud, 931.520.9533, email: Kristin.Mccloud@tn.gov
Learn more the TOPS and NFWJ program:
On-the-job Training (OJT)
With our partner programs, including local employers, local education institutions, and Apprenticeship TN, we can help connect individuals with employers offering paid apprenticeship programs that combine on-the-job training and classroom instruction in various industries, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. On-the-job training allows individuals to gain hands-on experience while earning a wage, allowing them to build their skills and secure permanent employment.
Reentry Services
Our Reentry Services assist individuals who are transitioning from incarceration or other criminal justice-related situations back into society and the workforce. We provide support for individuals with criminal records, offering job placement assistance, training, and resources for overcoming barriers to employment. These services are meant to help reduce recidivism and support successful reintegration by addressing both employment and life skills.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Services
UI Claims Assistance: AJCs assist individuals with filing for Unemployment Insurance (UI), explaining eligibility requirements, and helping with job search requirements for those receiving benefits.
In-Person Centers
Putnam County
(931) 520-6020
620 S Jefferson Ave, Suite 202, Cookeville, TN 38501
Cumberland County
(931) 484-7456
60 Ridley St, Suite 103, Crossville, TN 38555
Specialized Centers
Cannon County
(931) 484-7456 or
(615) 215-0567
Clay County
(615) 666-3377, ext. 3
DeKalb County
(931) 484-7456 or
(615) 215-0567
Fentress County
(931) 484-7456
Jackson County
(931) 520-6020
Macon County
(615) 666-3377, ext. 3
Overton County
(931) 403-3142
Pickett County
(931) 520-6020
Smith County
(931) 520-6020
Van Buren County
(931) 484-7456
Warren County
(931) 484-7456 or
(615) 215-0567
White County
(931) 520-6020
Need a job right now?
Browse local job openings with our Jobs4TN platform. You can find hiring employers and available positions in various industry sectors throughout the Upper Cumberland.