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Workforce

East Tennessee companies draw their employees from a large geographical area, and the regions's skilled labor force is key in attracting new business. The workforce in the region also has an exceptionally strong work ethic. Affordability, greater productivity, lower absenteeism and higher degree of company loyalty are major competitive advantages for companies located in the Knoxville region.

• Very low worker turnover and absenteeism rates
• A strong work ethic
• Available skilled laborers
• Highly ranked training programs
• Supportive educational facilities
• Tennessee is a right-to-work state

Talented Workforce

• Over 550,000 workers
• More than 5,000 residents with Ph.D's
• 50,000 technical professionals
• 55,000 college students
• home of the University of Tennessee
• 56,000 employed in manufacturing

Unionization

The region is also one of the least unionized urban areas in the U.S.