The
Tennessee Technology Center at Crossville is one of 46 institutions in the
Tennessee Board of Regents System, the seventh largest system of higher education
in the nation. The Tennessee Board of Regents is the governing board for this
system which is comprised of 6 universities, 13 community colleges and 27
technology centers. The TBR system enrolls more than 80 percent of all Tennessee
students attending public institutions of higher education.
The Tennessee Technology Center at
Crossville was established in 1967 as the State Area Vocational Technical
School, one of 26 Vo-Techs located across Tennessee. Construction of the first
Technology Center began in 1964 and the system was completed in 1975. The
Crossville Technology Center was the 18th school built. In 1994 the Tennessee
Legislature, realizing that training in the Vo-Tech schools was becoming more
technical, passed legislation changing our school's name to the Tennessee
Technology Center to better reflect the school's mission. The center enrolled
its first students in September, 1967. Six courses were available at that
time—Auto Mechanics, Drafting, Electronics, Machine Shop, Office Occupations
and Welding; 120 students supported by a staff of 10 full-time employees.
The history of our school has been
one of growth and expansion since the beginning. During the first five years,
five additional full-time programs were added to the original six: Masonry,
Carpentry, Practical Nursing, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, and Electrical
Wiring. In addition to the eleven full-time programs offered during the day,
an Evening School was started. The initial Evening School served about 75
students taught by five part-time instructors. Today, the Evening School offers
25-30 programs with a staff of 30 instructors.
A new wing was built in 1975 as a
result of the Comprehensive Vocational Education ACT. The goal was to provide
training for at least 50% of all high school students. The most feasible plan
was to build those high school facilities on the TTCC campus. A major expansion/remodeling
project at TTC Crossville was completed in 1997. This project increased the
square footage of the school by one third and provided a complete remodeling
of all existing facilities. The history of TTC has been a story of success—success
for the school with continued growth and strength—success of the school’s
graduates which enables them to enjoy a better way of life.
Tennessee Technology Center strives
to produce the high quality workers that industry demands; preparing students
for the work world is the goal of this school and placement figures vary with
an average of over 90% of graduates being placed in jobs related to their
training. These successful results provide the community businesses and industries
with better trained employees. As of January 1999, 16 programs are available.
They are Auto Body Technology, Auto Technology, Business Systems Technology,
Early Childhood Education, Computer Operations Technology, Drafting/CAD Technology,
Electronics Technology, GED Preparation, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Technology, Industrial Electricity/Maintenance Technology, Machine Tool Technology,
Masonry Technology, Practical Nursing, Surgical Technology, Technology Foundations,
and Welding Technology with a staff of 32 full time employees.
