# Unemployed Retraining Scholarships Reconnect to Workforce is Helping People Retrain Amid COVID-19 By Grace Mahas | Published 2021-02-05 | Special Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reconnect-to-workforce References: [fastcompany](https://www.fastcompany.com/90600017/covid-19-has-made-reskilling-workers-more-urgent-than-ever/?sgdgsdgsdsdgsd) & [tnreconnect.gov](https://tnreconnect.gov/TN-Reconnect-Grant-Application) As people continue to face unemployment in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Tennessee launched the Reconnect to Workforce scholarship. The initiative will connect [out of work individuals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/resumedwork) with a [free associate degree or technical certificate](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skilled-tradespeople) or up to 500,000 unemployed Tennesseans. The Reconnect to Workforce grant is available at various "Tennessee’s public community colleges, or other eligible four-year institutions that offer associate degrees" including Motlow State Community College, King University, Trevecca Nazarene University, and Baptist College of Health Sciences, among others. The Tennessee Reconnect to Workforce program will help decrease the [unemployment rate](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-tech-training) in the state by connecting people in need with specialized skills and programs to quickly and efficiently re-enter the workforce. Image Credit: Shutterstock ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 38% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Special](https://www.trendhunter.com/special) > [Job Trends](https://www.trendhunter.com/jobtrends) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Retraining Scholarship Programs:** The creation of retraining scholarship programs to help unemployed individuals gain new skills in the job market. - **Online Learning Platforms:** The increasing demand and use of online learning platforms to provide accessible education and training to those who are unemployed. - **Digital Skills Training:** The emphasis on digital skills training to prepare workers for jobs in the evolving job market. ### Where This Applies - **Education:** The education sector can create new retraining scholarship programs to provide opportunities for unemployed individuals to gain new skills. - **Technology:** The technology industry can enhance and expand online learning platforms to reach more individuals looking to retrain and upskill. - **Healthcare:** The healthcare industry can provide more specialized training opportunities for workers to gain skills in high demand areas through retraining scholarship programs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Specialized Workforce Development Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/workforce-development-initiative.md) - [Skill-Focused Career Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/career-moves.md) - [Workforce Upskilling Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grow-with-google.md) - [Layoff-Tracking Job Connectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/layoff-tracker.md) - [Skilled Trades Educational Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gable-grants.md) - [Fitness Professional-Focused Scholarships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/personal-trainer-academy.md) - [Helpful Digital Workforce Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-workforce.md) - [Student Workplace Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swpp.md) - [Senior Reskilling Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-aarp.md)