Tennessee technical colleges are now required to partner with local high schools. Here’s what that means for Nashville.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology campuses, or TCATs, will now be required to partner with local high schools to provide early career exposure opportunities to students.

SB2370, which is also HB1959 in the Tennessee House, directs technical colleges to provide dual enrollment, dual credit and middle college programs to high schoolers. It’s part of a push from the state legislature to expand interest and training for trades jobs.

Partnerships must be established by the 2023-2024 school year. The bill also encourages the Tennessee Board of Regents to establish a TCAT in every Tennessee county.

The state has had trouble improving its college-going rate despite the presence of free scholarship programs. While school districts have had success getting kids to take steps to apply to college, about 40% of high school seniors who intend to enroll don’t show up for class in the fall.

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Many students are derailed by pricey tuition, meal, transportation and housing costs. But others may find that they don’t have an appetite for college. There’s no guarantee that their degrees will be useful in the workforce.

Tennesseans have more than $30 billion in student loan debt. The state also has more low-paying jobs than high-paying ones.

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“One of the best things we have going for us (is) every student I have, maybe except for one,” says Pat Dillard, a diesel instructor at TCAT Nashville, “when they get out of here, they have very little or no debt.”

Damon Mitchell WPLN News

In the garage of TCAT Nashville’s diesel shop, a large engine sits on a wooden pallet.

Many students who attend TCAT Nashville also receive paid, hands-on training while they’re enrolled. Some students can make over $21 per hour. The college says that almost eight out of 10 students who attend finish — with most being placed into a career.

“We do co-op here,” Dillard says. “That’s where you go to work for three to four days a week, and then you come here one day a week for school.”

College president Nathan Garrett tells WPLN News that streamlining its existing partnerships with Metro Schools will expand those opportunities to more students. He says the long-term goal is to get more Nashville kids working in high-demand career fields.

“We have been in constant communication (with Metro Schools) about dual enrollment, recruitment, college fairs, FAFSA and college applications.”