JACKSON, TN – September 28 – The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has
announced that Southwest Tennessee Development District (SWTDD) was awarded a $999,123.00
grant through the Labor Education Alignment Program (LEAP). The grant is the largest of the
twelve awarded and represents an unprecedented collaboration among nine Tennessee Colleges of
Applied Technology (TCAT), sixteen high schools, sixteen industries, and numerous government
agencies in West Tennessee.
“This grant will greatly enhance West Tennessee’s ability to train a qualified workforce for years to
come,” SWTDD Executive Director Joe Barker said. “The funding will enable TCATs and high
schools to offer career training in applied settings, while providing local manufacturers the skilled
workforce they need to succeed. We truly appreciate the Governor’s Workforce Sub-Cabinet for
their support of our efforts, and the Tennessee General Assembly for authorizing the LEAP funds
again.”
“TCATs: Taking Charge of Applied Training” will start or expand programs of study for career
pathways in Advanced Manufacturing at high schools in Carroll, Chester, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson,
Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lauderdale, Shelby, Tipton and Weakley Counties. The goal
is to increase the opportunity for high school Career & Technical Education students to start their
learning process in Machining and Welding Technologies, accelerate their progress through these
programs while earning industry-recognized certifications, and complete credit hours towards a
diploma with a TCAT while still in high school. Grant funds will be used to purchase and install the
necessary equipment to create a “hands-on” environment as students learn and hone skills in
these areas. In a dramatic expression of support for this initiative, sixteen West Tennessee
industries have pledged to participate in paid work-based learning experience for students, for
which students will received TCAT credit towards a diploma, as well.
An initiative of Governor Bill Haslam’s Drive to 55, LEAP was developed to ensure that Tennessee
is graduating skilled workers ready to take on the jobs offered by employers and industry. The
program aims to close skills gaps by ensuring that students enrolled in courses provided by
Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) and community colleges gain the necessary
skills to meet the requirements of high-skill and high-technology jobs demanded by industry
leaders in the state.
“If we can eliminate gaps in the skills needed by local manufacturers and other companies and the
types of degrees and courses offered by local community and technical colleges, we can strengthen
our workforce to meet industry demands,” Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam said. “These LEAP
grants help create programs that tie specific training and skills to current workforce needs, helping
more Tennesseans qualify for good, high-paying jobs. This is a key piece of our Drive to 55
campaign to increase the number of Tennesseans with a postsecondary degree or credential to 55
percent by 2025.”
LEAP is administered by THEC and advised by the Governor’s Workforce Sub-Cabinet.
