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September 9, 2024
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville hosted the Ready For Industry Tennessee Certification Award Ceremony for a historic moment: a proclamation from the office of Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs declaring the ninth of September as “Ready For Industry Day” and the awarding of the very first Ready For Industry NOCTI certifications to TCAT Students.
In attendance was Rhonda Smithson, representing Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs; the creators of Ready for Industry, Sheila Boyington, Dane Boyington, and Chris Cazayoux; Executive Vice Chancellor Kimberly McCormick, on behalf of Chancellor Flora Tydings; and Danni Varlan of the Tennessee Board of Regents.
This event recognized the hard work and dedication of the students who have completed the training designed to answer their questions about finding work and increasing employability in Construction and Logistics fields after graduating from TCAT Knoxville. As TCAT Knoxville President Chaney stated, “We are excited for the opportunity that this certification presents, and we are proud to lead the way in furthering Knoxville’s economic and workforce development.”
Through hands-on training and real-world application, TCAT Knoxville continues to foster a workforce that meets the demands of Tennessee’s growing industries, while Ready For Industry prepares them for the reality of today’s workforce and the opportunities that will present themselves to other students who will take this training in the future.
The following students (pictured below) received the nation’s first NOCTI certifications to TCAT students:
Evan Archer, Logistics
Brett Buckner, Logistics
Joshua Casteel, Construction
Matthew Dech, Logistics
Christopher Holt, Construction
Caleb Mullins, Logistics
Samuel Nicaud, Construction
Ish Palacios, Construction
Roger Rutherford, Logistics
TCAT Knoxville was so thankful to the representatives, instructors, students, and supporters of career and technical education and workforce development in Tennessee who made an appearance at this event. Ready For Industry’s NOCTI certification is designed to “validate the skills [students] bring into the workplace” and the celebration this morning was only the beginning of an excellent pathway to Tennessee’s premier workforce.