By Jim Hayes
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has announced that Volunteer State Community College will be awarded a $1 million grant from the 2019 Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) fund.
GIVE is designed to “foster long-term regional partnerships between Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), community colleges, industry, economic development/workforce agencies, and K-12 to identify and address ‘skills gaps’ in local workforce pools,” according to a Tennessee governmental website describing the program.
The centerpiece of Vol State’s proposal is a 4,500 square foot construction and innovation Lab and Training Facility being built in Westmoreland, Tn., by Clayton Supply, one of the partners in the proposal.
Vol State’s proposal describes the facility as “a direct pathway to high school youth that along with Wilson Lumber (also in Westmoreland) will become a center of excellence for the Building trades.”
Shortages in the Sumner County building construction and manufacturing industry spurred Vol State to submit the 62-page proposal.
It was submitted in conjunction with the Northern Tennessee Workforce Development Board in partnership with: Gallatin Economic Development Agency, Forward Sumner Economic Partnership, Northern Middle Tennessee Workforce Development Board TCAT Portland, TCAT Hartsville, TCAT Nashville, Volunteer State Community College Sumner County Schools (LEA) Batten & Shaw, Clayton Supply, Wilson Lumber, Goodall Homes and Communities, Hodges Group, Curtis Construction, Olympian Construction, Aladdin Temp-Rite, ITW-CIP, North American Stamping Group, Simpson Strong Tie.
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