KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville is celebrating the “topping out” as construction continues on its new main campus building. The moment marks when construction reaches its highest point.
The new building is three stories and 105,000 square feet. It was designed to house several of the college’s existing programs while creating space for new offerings, developed in partnership with local business and industry leaders to meet the demands of East Tennessee’s industry. As part of the expansion, TCAT’s automotive technology program and diesel-powered equipment program are getting brand new, innovative labs, and its cosmetology students are getting a spa-like environment.
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“We needed new facilities. We love creative spaces and innovative classrooms and laboratories, and this new building is going to give us all of that and more,” said Kelli Chaney, president of TCAT in Knoxville. “It’s going to allow us to expand enrollment opportunities for students, prepare industry partners better for real-world careers, and build that workforce pipeline.”
She continued, “We’re getting the Snap-On build-a-bay, so our students are training on the very best equipment, they’re prepared for industry, not only automotive and diesel, but how about administrative office technology, for example, where students are preparing for those careers that are in tourism and hospitality and in the medical field where they’re your frontline, front desk people who have the opportunity to train in a facility that is world-class.”
The funding for the expansion came from Governor Bill Lee’s $1 billion investment in TCATs across the state. Chaney explained that thanks to the investment, they will be able to train students in facilities ready for the workforce of tomorrow for years to come.
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“We’re really preparing the workforce of tomorrow right now, and planning 10, 20, 30 years ahead. And that’s definitely what this facility will do for us,” said Chaney…