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KNOXVILLE (December 4, 2024) – Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville held a groundbreaking ceremony December 4, 2024 for the future home of its $7.2M Union County Campus.
Site preparation and construction of the new 14,790-square-foot campus, which will serve as a hub for business and industry training, is set to begin soon with the facility tentatively scheduled to open to students by January 2026. It will house one of TCAT Knoxville’s many welding technology programs, which will make dual enrollment opportunities for Union County High School. This program offering has been planned through data-driven analysis of workforce needs with assistance from business and industry in the region.
“Thanks to the generous support of Union County public schools, this new addition will allow us to better serve our students and provide additional opportunities to learn the skills needed to fill careers in our community,” said President Chaney.
“This TCAT Knoxville location in Union County will enhance workforce training opportunities for residents of this area that TCAT and Walters State mutually serve,” said President Miksa. “Walters State is grateful that we will have some space in the new facility, and we look forward to partnering with TCAT Knoxville to meet the workforce and educational needs of Union County."
Upon completion, the college will be ready to accept students into its Welding Technology program. Plans also call for a multi-use lab space and several classrooms for both Walters State and TCAT Knoxville to utilize in supporting higher education and learning.
“As we recruit industry to Tennessee, one of the deciding factors is whether or not we have a trained workforce readily available and the educational system to retrain and upskill,” said Bradley Jackson, president and CEO of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “It makes our job easy when we tell them our state has prioritized technical training through our community colleges and TCATs and can provide customized training if needed.”
Participating in the groundbreaking were TBR Chancellor Flora Tydings; Representative of District 36 Dennis Powers; President Kelli Chaney of TCAT Knoxville; President Tony Miksa of Walters State Community College; Mayor of Union County Jason Bailey and Director of Union County Public Schools Gregory Clay.
TCAT Knoxville is part of the College System of Tennessee and governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents, offers career and technical education programs in the Allied Health and Transportation fields as well as many sought-after skilled trade professions. A complete list of program offerings is posted on the college’s website at www.tcatknoxville.edu/programs.
Photo caption: On hand for TCAT Knoxville’s groundbreaking ceremony held December 4th 2024 for its new Union County campus on were (from left) Noah Duncan, Misty West, Boyd Hestand, Dennis Powers, Kelli Chaney, Flora Tydings, Tony Miksa, Danni Varlan, Jason Bailey, Gregory Clay and Sally Porter.
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About TCAT Knoxville
The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville is at the forefront of technical education, offering a diverse range of programs that equip students with the skills needed for today’s workforce. As part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system and accredited by the COE, TCAT Knoxville ensures a high-quality educational experience focused on student success and job placement. TCAT Knoxville is led by President Kelli Chaney.
About TBR – The College System of Tennessee
The College System of Tennessee is the state’s largest public higher education system, with 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology and the online TN eCampus serving approximately 120,000 students. The system is governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.