The state of Tennessee will develop a new Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in partnership with a new Ford electric vehicle and battery plant.
Specifically, the new TCAT program will be located at the Memphis Regional Megasite and will provide students with education and training designed in conjunction with Ford.
The announcement from Governor Bill Lee’s office details that new vocational college will train individuals on “electric vehicle and battery manufacturing and repair with the curriculum concentrating on mechatronics engineering and automechanics.”
“Leading companies select Tennessee because of our skilled workforce,” said Lee. “This unique partnership with Ford and SK Innovation will enable Tennesseans to skill up and meet the specific employment demands of Blue Oval City. Tennessee stands ready to provide a twenty-first century workforce.”
The development by Ford, known as Blue Oval City, will invest a total of $5.6 billion in the area, as the group builds a 3,600-acre campus.
Additionally, the new investment will bring approximately 5,800 new jobs in West Tennessee and additional revenue to the state.
“Customized industry training is what the Tennessee Board of Regents does to ensure our graduates are employable and productive from day one. This new workforce training center planned for the Memphis Regional Megasite in partnership with Ford and SK Innovation will equip Tennesseans with the skills they need for rewarding careers, now and for years to come,” said Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora Tydings.
“We are extremely excited to be working alongside Ford Motor Company and SK Innovation in changing lives and the landscape of Tennessee. Thanks to the Governor and the legislature, this center will allow us to continue and enhance our mission of student success and workforce development.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Laboratory of Smart Grids and Electric Vehicles” by INESC TEC. CC BY 3.0.
