The Bridge to Employment in Service and Tourism (B.E.S.T.) project provides career exploration in the hospitality, service and tourism industry through onsite training and placement in a hospitality, service or tourism setting for working-aged adults with significant disabilities and barriers to employment.

Our 16 week internship is hosted primarily at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, with some rotations hosted by partners in the greater Knoxville metropolitan area.

Interns complete 3 weeks of orientation, 2-3 rotations in community integrated work place environments to increase skills for competitive employment, then spend the remaining 4 weeks seeking employment; all with the help of our Work-Based Learning Staff.

B.E.S.T. Application SPRING 2019

Click the link above if you are interested in being an intern for  Spring 2019.  Please be mindful of submission deadlines. Deadline to apply is December 17, 2018 at 5pm. You may request an accommodation for completing this form to kcolebrooke@bestknoxville.org or 865-304-6943.

Become a Host Employer

Are you interested in having one of the B.E.S.T. interns at your business?!  Need assistance on closing the training gap for entry level positions?! Or if you have other needs that our program or interns could meet,  we would love to connect with you!

Fall 2018 Intern Graduation

Thursday December 13th 2018 at 6:30pm at Embassy Suites Knoxville West. Please RSVP.

Fall 2018 Interns!

Summer 2018 Interns!

SPRING 2018 Interns!

FALL 2017 Internship Graduation  (click here to RSVP)

December 20, 2017 at 6:00pm at Embassy Suites Knoxville West

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Our fall 2017 interns have successfully completed their internship rotations, and it is time to celebrate their accomplishments!

 Please feel free to bring the entire family! *Light refreshments will be served following the graduation.

FALL 2017 Internship Rotations

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

August-December 2017

Summer 2017 Internship Graduation

July 31, 2017

Congratulations to the Summer 2017 B.E.S.T. internship graduates! After successfully completing the program all 3 are gainfully employed! Woo Hoo!

Inaugural Internship Rotation

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

April 17, 2017-July 31st 2017

This Pilot internship group was one for the books! We had an amazing time working with these interns Summer 2017! 

ROSCOE

SAWYER

Lunch & Learn

Embassy Suites Knoxville West

July 27, 2016 @ Noon

We had a great time introducing the B.E.S.T. concept to members of Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association and other community leaders!  Thank-you to all that attended for your feedback!

See the presentation HERE

Amanda: Job Coach

From Left: Jill Thompson-GKHA,Beth Ritchie-Breakthrough, Dr. Bob Nicholas-Project SEARCH, Kendrise Colebrooke-B.E.S.T./ Breakthrough, David Johnston-McKibbon Hospitality

Beth and Bob

Maria and David!

Amanda and Tiffany!

AND MANY MORE!!!!!

B.E.S.T.  Knoxville

900 E. Hill Ave. Suite 145

Knoxville, TN 37915

Phone: 865-304-6943

Fax: 865-247-0066