JACKSON, TENNESSEE – Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT), 2468 Technology Center Drive at Jackson, celebrated the ribbon cutting and open house of the Workforce Development Center at Early College High School on Friday, October 1, 2021.

According to a press release from Brittany Crockett – Social Media & Online Content, Adelsberger Marketing – the Workforce Development Center (WDC) has been made possible by the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) Grant program through the State of Tennessee.

This ribbon cutting ceremony and open house event featured speeches and presentations from Mitch Currey (Director of Workforce and Economic Development for Tennessee Higher Education Commission), Dr. Marlon King (Superintendent of Jackson-Madison County School System), Dr. Jeff Sisk (President of TCAT Jackson), Kyle Spurgeon (President/CEO of the Jackson Chamber). Additionally, attendees from the city were able to take a tour of the facility with current students, viewing displays and demonstrations in each area.

The WDC at Early College High School (located at Jackson Central-Merry) is meant to pave educational pathways for high school students to have dual college enrollment to earn certificates and gain hands-on training and attain associate degrees to bachelor degrees. The upgrades to the advanced manufacturing-related training programs, welding labs, and new equipment will help students as they transition to the workforce in West Tennessee.

The WDC at Early College High School includes the following programs:

GIVE Supported – Advanced Manufacturing – Welding
GIVE Supported – Advanced Manufacturing – Machining Technology
GIVE Supported – Advanced Manufacturing – Mechatronics

Health Science – Diagnostic Services

Health Science – Nursing Services

Health Science – Sport and Human Performance

Health Science – Therapeutic Services

(PHOTO: Jeff Sisk, president, TCAT Jackson)