Chattanooga State Community College recently received a $200K Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to purchase training equipment for a new workforce training instructional site in Rhea County. The equipment will be installed in mobile labs built adjacent to the Nokian Tyres plant, enabling the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) to offer Industrial Electricity and Industrial Maintenance technical diploma programs to an estimated 40 residents of Rhea and Bledsoe counties each year in response to local workforce needs. Enrollment in these two programs will be available beginning January 2021.

“Industry in Dayton has a real need for industrial maintenance and electricity techs, and this new equipment will allow Chattanooga State to train technicians right in Dayton,” states Dr. Jim Barrott, TCAT executive vice president. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the residents in Rhea and surrounding counties.”

This project will help establish a career pipeline to support local manufacturing industries and will increase post-secondary students’ access to advanced training and completion of industry-recognized certifications. Graduates from the program are expected to join the ranks of technical college students that obtain high-paying jobs.

Because local employers are unable to hire enough workers with advanced skills, this project will increase customized job training and professional certification programs to benefit manufacturing industries in Bledsoe and Rhea counties and create a pipeline of highly-trained workers to meet current and future workforce demands.

“I am excited about the possibility of tripling our TCAT offerings in Rhea County,” shares Jerry Hendix, Dayton Site director. “Adding the Industrial Electricity and Industrial Maintenance programs to our already established Welding program will complement our degree course offerings that we offer at the Dayton Skills Center.”

These ARC funds will leverage more than $467,000 from other sources, brining the project total to more than $667K. For more information about these and other classes offered through the Dayton Site, contact Jerry Hendrix at (423) 365-5010 or email jerry.hendrix@chattanoogastate.edu.