The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has appointed its inaugural position for the new Next Step Program.

Marion Southall White was hired as the first Vocational Recovery Specialist for the Next Step Program. Marion comes from a career development background with the Institute for Career Development for the United Steelworkers. She brings years of manufacturing experience at Bridgestone/Firestone in LaVergne. Marion is an active alumna of Middle Tennessee State University and a graduate of the Master’s of Public Service Management Program at Cumberland University.

In her spare time, Marion enjoys reading and attending an array of musical concerts and the performing arts. She also enjoys volunteering in the Nashville community, and she has served as a member of various non-profit organizations throughout her professional career.

About the Next Step Program

The Next Step Scholarship is an option for workers injured on the job on or after July 1, 2018.  A worker could be awarded up to $5,000 per year, with the maximum amount at $20,000 for all eligible years. The Bureau must receive the worker’s application within 90 days of his/her final permanent disability payment.

Next Step is a vocational rehabilitation fund designed to assist a qualified injured worker obtain training to re-enter the workforce when some impairment prevents the worker from returning to his/her pre-injury job or returns to work at a lower wage. With funds from this program, applicants can learn new job skills for a different career path.