Crews at TCAT Knoxville have officially topped out the shell of the college’s new main campus, capping the structure and marking a major milestone in Tennessee’s push to expand technical training. The three-story, roughly 105,000-square-foot building is designed to pull several programs under one roof, layer in specialized labs, and open up room for new industry-aligned offerings. Officials say construction is on track for a winter finish, with students expected to start classes in the new facility in January 2027.
Construction milestone and ceremony
The college marked the moment with a topping-out ceremony this week, celebrating the placement of the highest piece of steel on the new campus. According to WATE 6 On Your Side, TCAT President Kelli Chaney told attendees the project will expand enrollment options and strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline. Denor Construction president Frank Rothermel called the new campus “a great asset for the community,” as education leaders, industry partners, and local officials gathered to watch the final beam go up.
What the new campus will include
The main campus is planned as a three-story, 105,000-square-foot facility that will pull together several existing TCAT programs while leaving space for new offerings shaped with input from local employers. According to TCAT Knoxville, the design includes classrooms, multipurpose spaces, on-site parking, and hands-on laboratories built to resemble real workplaces as closely as possible.
Training labs, equipment, and schedule
Inside, plans call for a new diesel lab, an upgraded automotive technology shop, and refreshed cosmetology classrooms that are set up to function more like a professional spa. The project also includes new industry-standard tools; Chaney has said students will train on Snap-on “Build-a-Bay” equipment to help shorten the path from classroom to full-time employment. Per WATE 6 On Your Side, construction is scheduled to wrap in December 2026, with classes in the new space slated to begin in January 2027.
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