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Ribbon cut on TCAT facility in Andersonville

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Information from WYSH Radio

Wednesday morning, officials gathered at the new Tennessee College of Applied Technology–or TCAT—facility on Andersonville Highway for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new but temporary TCAT facility is expected to be a boon to local industries and prospective employees alike by offering courses geared toward the industries operating in this area.

The owners of the former Hensley’s grocery store donated the vacant 20,000-square foot building to the state to renovate and use as a temporary training facility for a period of about two years. The temporary facility will be needed while the state builds a new, premanent TCAT on land donated by SL Tennessee in the I-75 Industrial Park. [Read more…]

State Building Commission approves new Anderson County TCAT campus

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The State Building Commission on Thursday unanimously approved funding for a new Anderson County satellite campus of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology—Knoxville. The new campus will be located in the city of Clinton.

Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican, presided over the meeting in which the project was approved, a press release said.

“I am extremely excited about the prospect of a TCAT satellite campus in Anderson County. Our technical colleges provide students the invaluable skills they need to compete in today’s job market,” McNally said in the press release. “Tennessee works hard to attract high-quality jobs to our state. It is important that those jobs go to Tennesseans. We have some of the hardest-working people in the nation right here in Anderson County. This new campus will give our outstanding people a chance to develop the skills they need to survive and thrive in the modern workforce.” [Read more…]

TN College of Applied Technology gets $5.7 million grant for Anderson County facility

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tennessee-college-of-applied-technology-knoxville

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville will receive a $5.7 million Drive to 55 Capacity Fund Grant to be used for a training facility in Anderson County, state officials said Thursday.

The grant was announced by Tennessee Senator Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican; Representative John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican; and Representative Dennis Powers, a Jacksboro Republican after they were notified by Governor Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, or THEC.

“It is critical that we prepare our students with the skills they need for 21st century jobs,” said McNally, who as Finance Committee Chairman has supported the Drive to 55 Capacity grants. “This grant not only aids us in that effort, but also helps us bring new jobs to Tennessee as businesses are looking for a skilled workforce. I am very pleased that these funds will be coming to Anderson County.” [Read more…]

High school students begin new automotive repair class

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orhs-auto-shop-1

A new course, Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair, started this fall at Oak Ridge High School as part of Oak Ridge Schools’ College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) program. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

Submitted by Sarah Self/City of Oak Ridge

Students at Oak Ridge High School now have an opportunity to learn the skills they need to begin yet another high-demand, high-wage occupation after graduating.

The newest course, Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair, started with the 2016 fall semester as part of Oak Ridge Schools’ College, Career, and Technical Education, or CCTE, program. The class currently has 14 students enrolled for a fall and spring session.

Upon completing two full years of the class, each student will have worked with engine systems, transmissions, suspensions, steering, brakes, electrical, and HVAC. Students earn a full year’s worth of credit hours in one semester. The credits are recognized by the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) as part of a dual enrollment program and will count toward further certifications with TCAT. Students can also obtain some Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications while still in high school. [Read more…]

Roane State awarded grant to develop specialized welding courses

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The Roane State Community College campus in Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Photo by Roane State)

 

Roane State Community College received a $25,000 grant to develop classes in lightweight metal welding, a skill set needed by automotive manufacturers.

The grant from the Center for Advanced Automotive Technology will be used to develop four courses: aluminum welding, robotic welding, non-destructive testing, and metallurgy. Grant funds will pay for costs related to course development, supplies, and outreach materials.

Markus Pomper, dean of Roane State’s Mathematics and Sciences Division, said the course material will have applications in the automotive industry and for work at the Uranium Processing Facility under development in Oak Ridge.

“Automotive manufacturers are using light metals, such as aluminum, in their designs in order to increase their vehicles’ fuel efficiency,” Pomper said. “The lightweight metal welding courses will train the workforce for the lightweight auto manufacturing. In addition, we anticipate that the planned Uranium Processing Facility will require welders who can weld exotic metals and also test their work.” [Read more…]

Anderson County secures Tennessee College of Applied Technology facility

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Information from WYSH Radio

The Anderson County Commission learned Monday night that the county has been chosen by the state to be the next home of a Tennessee College of Applied Technology—or TCAT. TCATs are training facilities aimed at improving the skill levels of members of Tennessee’s workforce and are seen by potential industries as great training grounds for potential employees.

Anderson County Economic Development Association President Tim Thompson told commissioners Monday that his organization and the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce have been working hard on securing the facility for more than a year and that the county had beaten out Blount County.

Thompson credited the owners of the former Hensley’s IGA grocery store in Andersonville and SL Tennessee in the I-75 Industrial park for their roles in making the TCAT a reality. The Hensley owners have agreed to donate the vacant 20,000-square foot store to the state to renovate and use as a temporary training facility for a period of about two years. The temporary facility will be needed while the state builds the new College of Applied Technology on a seven-acre parcel of land donated for the project by SL Tennessee. [Read more…]

Haslam to announce grants in Norris, Rockwood, Knoxville on Friday

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Bill Haslam during Presidential Visit at Pellissippi State

Governor Bill Haslam is pictured above during a visit by President Barack Obama at Pellissippi State Community College on Friday, January 9. (File photo by Rob Welton)

 

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam will announce grants during stops in Norris, Rockwood, and Knoxville on Friday.

The first stop is in Rockwood at 9:15 a.m. Friday, June 19. The governor will announce a Tennessee Department of Transportation grant at 1360 Pumphouse Road in Rockwood.

The second stop is in Norris at 10:40 a.m. Friday. The governor will announce another TDOT grant at the Pavilion across the street from the Norris Museum, 1 Norris Square.

The last stop is at 1100 Liberty Street in Knoxville at 12:35 p.m. During that stop, Haslam will announce a grant at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville.

Roane State, TCAT hosting job fairs to seek instructors

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Roane State Community College and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Harriman are hosting job fairs to seek instructors for courses.

Instructor positions are available on an as-needed basis and are not full-time positions.

A job fair will be held on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Avenue. A second fair will be held on Thursday, May 21, from 4-7 p.m. at the college’s Knox County Center for Health Sciences at 132 Hayfield Road.

Instructors are sought for courses in the following areas: computer skills, leadership, communication skills, supervisory training, team-building and motivation, customer service, lean manufacturing, quality control, management, practical nursing, nursing aide, IV-push certification, phlebotomy, welding, industrial electricity, industrial automation, and other subjects.

For more information, contact Sonya Parker at (865) 481-2031 or [email protected].

Grant will allow Roane State to expand mechatronics program

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Chris Whaley

Chris Whaley

Roane State Community College will use a nearly $1 million state grant to expand its mechatronics program and to pilot offering the program’s first year as dual credit courses for high school students. The college will partner with schools in Oak Ridge and Anderson County.

The mechatronics program trains students to become technicians who operate, maintain, and repair high-tech automated manufacturing systems. Roane State offers a one-year certificate in mechatronics. Through a $970,000 Labor Education Alignment Program, or LEAP, grant, Roane State will create a two-year associate degree in mechatronics. The program will be launched in fall 2015.

“We are honored to receive a LEAP grant, and we appreciate the hard work of our partners and our legislative delegation on the grant,” Roane State President Chris Whaley said. “The grant is built on great partnerships between Roane State, industries, local school systems and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. Working together, we will help students learn the skills they need for high-tech manufacturing careers.” [Read more…]

AC Chamber Council starts discussions on educational resources, workforce needs

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Randy Boyd

Randy Boyd

Submitted

CLINTON—Leaders from business, local, and post-secondary education across Anderson County gathered at the Hollingsworth Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership on Tuesday for an Anderson County Workforce Development Training Resources Luncheon hosted by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Development Council. The council plans for this to be the first of a series of in-depth county-wide discussions about how to ensure that our educational resources are focused at meeting the businesses workforce needs in Anderson County.

Randy Boyd, Governor Bill Haslam’s special adviser on higher education, spoke about Tennessee’s “Drive to 55” initiative and the five main aspects to this statewide initiative: get students ready, get them into school, get them out of school, finish what we started with adult students, and tie education directly to workforce needs.

“There are nearly a million Tennesseans that have some college credit but no degree—that’s an untapped pool of people that we can get to complete a certificate or degree,” Boyd said. [Read more…]

Roane County Chamber honors 2014 business award winners

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Roane Chamber 2014 Business Winners

From left to right are Jude Miller, Danice Turpin, Ann Davis, Becky Butler, Kathy Parks, Melinda Bertram, and Sharon Templeton. (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted

The Roane County Chamber’s business awards were presented Friday night during the 68th Annual Banquet. One of the largest crowds in recent years attended the event, with their fellow Chamber members being honored for outstanding service. The Chamber’s business awards are an integral part of the annual banquet. The awards presented include:

  • Betty Mowrer, of Kingston, named Volunteer of the Year;
  • The Bridge at Rockwood, named 2014 Business of the Year;
  • Jude Miller, Active Family and Sports Chiropractic, received the Paul E. Goldberg Young Professional Award;
  • Danice Turpin, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, was named Roane Chamber Woman of the Year for her years of dedicated community service; and
  • The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Sharon Templeton, of EnergySolutions, who was honored for her outstanding contributions both to Roane County and the Chamber. [Read more…]

Roane State receives Dollar General Literacy Foundation grant

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Roane State Community College Harriman Campus

Roane State Community College has received a grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to offer more classes that help adults earn their high school equivalency diplomas. Pictured above is the college’s main campus in Harriman. (Photo courtesy RSCC)

Roane State Community College received a grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to offer more classes that help adults earn their high school equivalency diplomas.

The $8,000 grant will be used to assist with the cost of instructors, supplies, and instructional materials.

“We very much appreciate the support of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation,” said Melissa Browder, Roane County Adult Education supervisor. “Their contribution allows us to offer adults a path to a high school diploma, an accomplishment which can lead to better career opportunities and open the door for adults to continue their education.” [Read more…]

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