TCAT Knoxville announces TCAT Knoxville Skilled Trades Collegiate High School

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville has partnered with Knox County Schools and Knox County to establish the new TCAT Knoxville Skilled Trades Collegiate High School. The TCAT Knoxville Skilled Trades Collegiate High School will provide high school students with the opportunity to earn a TCAT Knoxville diploma at the same time as they earn their high school diploma.

According to an article on TCAT Knoxville’s website, TCAT Knoxville President Kelli Chaney is quoted as saying, "This really builds on the dual enrollment opportunities we already offer and takes them a step further by creating a dedicated educational experience for students to begin their technical education while they are still in high school. We believe every student should have the chance to discover what they're capable of and see a clear path to their future. Whether their next step is a career, an apprenticeship or continued education, the TCAT Knoxville Skilled Trades Collegiate High School will give students a tremendous head start. We're not just preparing students for jobs, we're helping them build a future."

The TCAT Knoxville Skilled Trades Collegiate High School is expected to open in 2027, with West High School becoming the first high school served through the initiative, though it is expected that this will expand to include more high schools in the near future. The new Skilled Trades Collegiate High School will work in alignment with the existing 865 Academy dual-enrollment model, which has high school students remaining enrolled at their home high schools and receiving their traditional education there and travelling to TCAT Knoxville Skilled Trades Collegiate High School for their technical education.

KCS Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk said, "This partnership highlights an exciting opportunity to open more doors for our students. The potential to expand access to industry and workforce experiences would equip students with opportunities to explore careers and build future-ready skills while still in high school. We look forward to working with TCAT Knoxville to prepare even more students for success after graduation."

Participating students will receive transportation from West High School to TCAT Knoxville’s campus, where they will take their technical education courses in the college’s classrooms and receive instruction from the college’s faculty. The initiative will support upward economic mobility, by providing these students with technical training in in-demand careers.

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs said, "I am proud of this unique partnership, which will enable students to walk the stage at graduation and receive two diplomas: one from KCS and one from TCAT Knoxville. This partnership will help remove barriers for students to find gainful employment within the skilled trades and expand their employment opportunities upon leaving high school."

For more information about Tennessee College of Applied Science Knoxville, visit the school’s website.