Education & Labor

  • Colleges and Universities
  • Area Technological Research and Support Services
  • Labor
  • Workforce Training and Placement
  • Monroe County Schools
  • Loudon County Schools 

Tennessee has embrace a critical new mission: the Drive to 55 – the Drive to get 55 percent of Tennesseans equipped with a college degree or certificate by the year 2025.

It's not just a mission for higher education, but a mission for Tennessee's future workforce and economic development.

Colleges and Universities

University of Tennessee - As the state's flagship, research-intensive university, UT is the state's leader in promoting education, research and public service and continues to strengthen its impact on the citizens of Tennessee. Recently U.S. News and World Report ranked UT Knoxville as No. 52 among all public universities and No. 106 among all national universities. The national universities group includes 262 American universities that offer the comprehensive bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. The University has over 27,000 students in 90 major programs.

Maryville College - Maryville College is a four-year, co-educational, liberal arts college. Founded in 1819, it is the 12th oldest institution of higher learning in the South and maintains an affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA). More than sixty, diverse fields of study are offered, with pre-professional programs such as pre-med, pre-law, business, pre-seminary, pre-dentistry, and pre-vet. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Science degrees are offered. Certification is available in elementary and secondary education. Dual degree programs are offered in engineering and health care/nursing.

Other Colleges within forty-five minutes are

Four year Degree Schools
Maryville College
South College
Strayer University
University of Tennesssee
Lee University
Tennessee Wesleyan University

Two year Degree Schools
Cleveland State Community College
Pellissippi State Community College
Roane State Community College
Tennessee Technology Centers

Area Technological Research and Support Services

Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL) - ORNL is a multiprogram science and technology laboratory managed for the U.S. Department of Energy by UT-Battelle, LLC. Scientists and engineers at ORNL conduct basic and applied research and development to create scientific knowledge and technological solutions that strengthen the nation's leadership in key areas of science; increase the availability of clean, abundant energy; restore and protect the environment; and contribute to national security.

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) - Solves mission-critical problems with innovative applications of technology and expertise. Areas of research include, medical labs researching cancer cures, next-generation robotics, tsunami warning systems. In crime lab investigations, in Iraq helping protect and support our men and women in uniform, SAIC is there.

Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) - ORAU has 98 member universities and a strategic partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), bringing together university faculty and students to collaborate on major scientific initiatives that strengthen America’s leading edge in science and technology. In addition, ORAU leverages the collective capabilities of the university consortium by partnering with other national laboratories, government agencies, and private industry to strengthen America’s scientific research and education enterprise to enhance global competitiveness,  build public trust and confidence in the management of worker health and environmental clean-up initiatives and enhance our nation’s preparedness to respond to emergencies related to terrorist incidents, natural disasters and health threats.

National Transportation Research Center (NTRC) - offers one of the most diverse concentrations of transportation researchers in the United States. The NTRC was created to respond to the needs of industry and government agencies as they address issues related to expanding and maintaining transportation systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and reliably. About 160 researchers and supporting staff from The University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory work at the NTRC. These researchers represent a unique set of research capabilities that deal with almost every aspect of the transportation industry. Researchers from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and The University of Tennessee’s Center for Transportation Research come together under one roof, bringing complementary skill sets that allow the NTRC to address transportation issues and concerns from a systems perspective.

Labor

  • A right-to-work state
  • Tennessee is below the national Cost of Living Index
  • Low Cost of Doing Business
  • Low in Electricity Costs
  • Ranked 6th lowest in Industrial Rent Costs
  • Per capita income estimate below state and national averages
  • No personal income tax on wages and salaries
  • Tennessee is #2 top state for doing business
  • Lowest state debt per capita in the country, per the Tax Foundation

Workforce Training and Placement

Pellissippi State Technical Community College Business and Community Services - Courses are designed to provide practical skills and hands-on-training in a targeted, time-limited, training environment. This division of Pellissippi State Technical Community College offers industrial and techinical training in mechnical systems, electrical systems, maintaence management, maching, rigging, welding, construction, green/renewable technology and computer aided manufacturing. Pellissippi State also offers programs in professional certification preparation classes, computer applications and will customize training courses for a specific business or industry sector. Job placement services are also available.

Tennessee Technology Center - With the economy and the face of business and industry constantly changing, demand is high for a qualified and skilled workforce in Tennessee. Tennessee Technology Center in Knoxville, Athens, and Harrimann is proud to by a key provider of state-of-art training for businesses and industry in and around the Knoxville area. Numerous 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.

University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services - The Center for Industrial Services (CIS) is an agency of the University of Tennessee Institute of Public Service. CIS helps Tennessee’s manufacturers become more productive, more profitable and more competitive. They can help your company with new production techniques or business practices, expanding markets, complying with regulations, or a host of other issues. The center provides assisstance and training with manufacturing operations, management, quality, finical and information systems, humna resources, energy management, safty and environmental compliance and assistance, and LEAN manufacturing.

Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade

Monroe County Schools has approximately 5,500 students in grades kindergarten through twelve.  There are also three pre-kindergarten programs in the school system, one each in Madisonville, Tellico Plains, and Vonore preparing children to enter kindergarten with the foundation and skills they need to be successful. All schools in the system are currently accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).  Every school is also deemed a Safe School according to state and federal guidelines. 

Loudon County has two award winning, accredited public school systems, Loudon County Schools and Lenoir City Schools. Loudon County Schools has over 5,200 students at 9 locations in grades Kindergarten through twelve. Recognized as an excellence in education community, Loudon County educators focus on college and workforce preparedness and feature articulation agreements with local colleges for college credit classes through dual enrollment. Lenoir City High School has been recognized as a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) School. Lenoir City High School has been awarded an Excellence in Education by the Tennessee School Board Association for their “Project lead the Way” pre-engineering program.