All 23 Tennessee colleges of applied technology will play a role

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in the Upper Cumberland and Livingston are working toward ensuring that Tennessee continues “leading America’s renewed push for energy independence.”

 TCATs Upper Cumberland and Livingston want students to know there are pathways to careers in the nuclear energy industry, and you don’t have to travel far from home to start the journey. Programs at TACT include:

  • building construction technology
  • electrical maintenance machine tool technology
  • rucking
  • welding

“… All 23 Tennessee colleges of applied technology will play a role in further solidifying the highly skilled, highly motivated workforce that is required to meet the growing demands of the nuclear energy industry in Tennessee,” according to a release.

“We are excited for the opportunity to help more of our graduates launch careers in the growing nuclear sector,” said TCATs Upper Cumberland and Livingston President Cliff Wightman. “As new nuclear-based companies choose Tennessee, we understand the critical workforce needs they bring — from welding and HVAC to electrical and advanced manufacturing. We are committed to expanding and adapting our training programs to meet this demand for highly skilled talent. This is a tremendous win for Tennessee, and we are proud to play a meaningful role in supporting the state’s future-focused workforce.”

The nuclear industry sector has $9 billion economic impact on Tennessee and has landed the State 11 industry projects recently worth about 6.96 billion in capital Investment. Those projects will create 2,232 jobs (More than 40,000 direct and indirect nuclear jobs are already here).

 Of course, that makes it a top workforce priority for the TBR | The College System of Tennessee. Additional announcements on nuclear investment are on the horizon.

“The development of a robust nuclear workforce to fill the highly skilled nuclear-related jobs available across our state is essential to Tennessee’s current and future economic success,” said Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora W. Tydings. “Our technical colleges provide critical skills and training to strengthen the state’s existing nuclear workforce pipeline and to address immediate, emerging and long-term needs of nuclear companies looking to establish operations in our great state.”

For more information on programs offered at TCAT leading to jobs in the nuclear energy field, visit the TCAT Upper Cumberland website at https://tcatuppercumberland.edu.

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