Danny O’Quinn, Assistant Director of Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Elizabethton, said programs are extremely successful and enrollment has reached record highs. The school offers 12 full-time technical programs including HVAC, nursing, diesel mechanics, millwright, pipe-fitting and more. On top of diverse programs offered in a state-of-the-art $16M facility, he said students are attracted to the school for affordability and high job placement rate. Last year, completion rate was 91 percent, and of those 91 percent of those began careers in their fields following graduation.

Part of the growth in enrollment, he said, is attributed to the new TNPromise and TNReconnect programs, which allow students to attend right out of high school with free tuition, and allow adults to return with financial aid. It’s an exciting time to be at TCAT, as they consider adding new programs like Cosmetology.

One of the perks of the school is the opportunity to earn NC3 industry certifications prior to graduation. These make students more experienced and more appealing to potential employers. All of the programs taught at TCAT Elizabethton are based on jobs available in this region. There are 27 TCATs in Tennessee.