In partnership with SkillsUSA, Lowe’s Inc., through the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, will distribute new state-of-the-art Kobalt brand tools to the Tennessee Technology Center at Chattanooga State Community College to support the college’s automotive technology program.  On Friday, April 16, Lowe’s will officially present the donation to Chattanooga State students and faculty in a special ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. at the company’s home improvement store, which is located at 5428 Highway 153.

Committed to building a highly-skilled American workforce, Lowe’s has become a steadfast and generous patron of SkillsUSA, a national student organization that has established 15,000 chapters at public high schools and at trade and technical schools across the country.  This year Lowe’s has expanded its support to include an initiative called “Toolbox for Education,” a program that will provide 400 SkillsUSA chapters will complimentary tools.  The Tennessee Technology Center at Chattanooga State is one of 19 recipients in Tennessee.

“Chattanooga State is fortunate to receive this gift from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation,” says Dr. Jim Barrott, vice president for technology at Chattanooga State.  “This robust endorsement provides a hands-on benefit to our students and allows our faculty to have access to the type of equipment and tools our students will be using when they are working in the automotive industry.  The gift from Lowe’s ensures that our program is relevant and that our students are work-ready when they graduate.”

Lowe’s will provide each school with the following tools. • Kobalt 110 pc Thru-Ratchet Set; • Kobalt 16 pc 1Ž2" Socket Set; • Kobalt 227 pc Socket Set; • Kobalt 7 pc SAE Ratcheting Wrench Set; • Kobalt 7 pc SAE Metric Ratcheting Wrench Set; • Kobalt 10 pc SAE Combination Wrench Set; • 2- Kobalt 10 pc SAE Metric Combination Wrench Set; and • Kobalt 27" 5 drawer Stainless Steel Tool Chest.

Formerly known as the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America, SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization that partners students, teachers, and industry into a coalition that collaborates to ensure America has a proficient, capable workforce.  Serving more than a quarter million student members, who are enrolled in technical training and career programs, SkillsUSA chapters are organized at community colleges, technical centers, and high schools.  Through its programming and initiatives, SkillsUSA encourages students to develop communication, problem solving, and leadership competencies to enhance their trade, technical, and occupational skills.

For more information about the SkillsUSA organization and the opportunities the program provides to technical students, visit the SkillsUSA Web site at www.skillsusa.org.

For more information about the “Toolbox for Education” program and about the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, visit the Lowe’s Web site at www.lowes.com.

For more information about Chattanooga State’s technology programs and technical careers, call the Tennessee Technology Center at 423.697.4433 or the Chattanooga State information hotline at 423.697.4404 or toll free at 1.866.547.3733.

For more information about Chattanooga State Community College and its educational programs, call the Chattanooga State information hotline at 423.697.4404 or toll free at 1.866.547.3733 or visit the college’s Web site at www.chattanoogastate.edu.

Chattanooga State Community College is a comprehensive, regionally accredited community college, operated under the policies and guidelines of the Tennessee Board of Regents College System.  Founded in 1965 and serving a six-county area in Southeast Tennessee, Chattanooga State offers a wide array of programs and services.