Tennessee’s community colleges are making significant strides in workforce development through innovative industry partnerships. One notable collaboration is between Pellissippi State Community College and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This partnership highlights how the state’s 13 community colleges are addressing critical workforce needs.
The Chemical Radiation Technology pathway at Pellissippi State, launched last year, is already proving successful. With its first three graduates set for December commencement, the program aims to alleviate the national shortage of skilled technicians in the radiochemistry sector. It combines specialized coursework with practical laboratory experience. Leslie Adamczyk, a professor and program coordinator at Pellissippi State, emphasized the industry’s demand for more students in the nuclear field. Graduates can achieve a two-year degree and have opportunities to work at national labs, with options for further education.
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This partnership is representative of similar collaborations across Tennessee’s community college system, where institutions work with regional employers to create targeted academic programs and workforce solutions. These initiatives include advanced manufacturing programs in West Tennessee and healthcare initiatives in East Tennessee.
Jeremy Busby, associate laboratory director for Isotope Science and Engineering at ORNL, praised Pellissippi State for their cooperation in addressing the skill gap. He emphasized the need for a long-term pipeline of skilled technicians, both for ORNL and other facilities nationwide.
The program’s initial success is evident, with two students, Jon Rowland and Jared Dowell, completing internships at ORNL and being featured in “Nuclear News” magazine. Their internships provided valuable hands-on experience and industry networking opportunities.
Statewide, similar success stories are emerging from other community colleges’ industry partnerships, which have led to high job placement rates, often before students graduate. Jimmy Selph, a waste-services representative at ORNL who contributed to the program’s curriculum, highlighted the competitive edge students gain from their coursework and internships.
The community college system’s focus on industry partnerships is a strategic approach to addressing workforce challenges and adapting to technological advancements. Each college maintains industry-focused advisory boards to ensure their curriculum remains relevant and aligned with employer needs. This strategy is effectively creating a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to meet the demands of Tennessee’s workforce.
For more details on this initiative, visit the original story on Pellissippi State’s website. The College System of Tennessee, governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents, is the state’s largest public higher education system, serving approximately 140,000 students through 13 community colleges and various other institutions.
Contact: Matthew S. Gann, 615-366-4412
Published: 01/29/2025
Follow on Twitter: @CollegeSystemTN
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