TCAT Opens New Campus
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TCAT Opens New Campus
Above: A slew of dignitaries were on hand in Oneida last week to mark the continued growth of TCAT Oneida/Huntsville, including Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee, Scott County Mayor Jerried Jeffers, Huntsville Mayor Dennis Jeffers, and Oneida Mayor Lori Phillips-Jones.
By Shane Gilreath
SCN Contributing Editor
[email protected]
State and local officials gathered in Oneida on Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the new Tennessee College of Applied Technology campus, a project leaders say will strengthen workforce development and create new opportunities for students across the region.
The new TCAT Oneida/Huntsville campus represents a $17 million investment in post-secondary education and vocational training for Scott County. The facility will introduce several new programs, including aviation maintenance, allied health and medical assisting, and dental assisting, giving students access to specialized career paths close to home.
TCAT Oneida/Huntsville President Dwight Murphy, who is preparing to retire, highlighted the hands-on nature of the campus programs. Students training in heavy equipment operations will gain experience using earth-moving machinery such as dozers, while aviation maintenance students will work directly on two aircraft housed on campus.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee joined community leaders and dozens of residents for the ribbon-cutting ceremony that included County Mayor Jerried Jeffers, Oneida Mayor Lori Phillips-Jones, and Huntsville Mayor Dennis Jeffers. During the event, the governor emphasized the importance of expanding technical and vocational education as Tennessee continues to attract new industries and economic growth.
“Great to be in Scott County this morning for a TCAT Oneida/Huntsville ribbon cutting,” the governor said. “Tennessee’s skilled workforce is leading the nation, and we remain committed to strong investments to prepare Tennesseans for the future.”
The governor was complimentary of the expanse of education across the state.
“We decided eight years ago when I came into office we should truly expand vocational, technical, and agricultural education in this state and this is a perfect example of it,” Lee told regional media outlets. “It’s skilling-up people in this community for the jobs that are coming to this state because of the economic activity that’s happening all across Tennessee.”
