TCAT Knoxville

What TCAT Knoxville does

TCAT Knoxville (Tennessee College of Applied Technology Knoxville) is a public technical college and constituent institution of the Tennessee Board of Regents system, established in 1963 by the Tennessee General Assembly. It provides competency-based, open-entry technical education across approximately 19-20 certificate and diploma programs spanning skilled trades (welding, HVAC, industrial electricity, pipefitting/plumbing, machine tool, diesel, automotive, collision repair), allied health (practical nursing, surgical technology, dental assisting, patient care, nursing aide, medical office IT), and technology (computer operating systems/networking/cybersecurity, administrative office technology, cosmetology, truck driving). It operates five physical locations across Knox, Anderson, Blount, and Union counties in East Tennessee, with a main campus at 1100 Liberty Street, Knoxville, an extension campus at the Anderson County Higher Education Center in Clinton, and additional instructional service centers at Blount Memorial Hospital, Oak Ridge High School, and the Ruth and Steve West Workforce Development Center in Friendsville.

The institution delivers hands-on, instructor-led training supplemented by Cat Simulator Systems for heavy equipment operation and virtual reality headsets funded through a ~$40,000-41,000 Ratcliffe/Pitch for the Trades grant. Programs carry program-level accreditation from NATEF, CAAHEP, HVAC Excellence, AWS, ASE, and the National Board of Surgical Technology, and the institution holds institutional accreditation from the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. Reported outcomes include a 97% licensure exam pass rate, 91% employment in field of study, and $0 average student loan debt at graduation. Articulation agreements with the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Roane State Community College, Walters State, and Knoxville College provide stackable pathways from technical certificate through associate's and bachelor's degrees.

The revenue model combines state appropriations through the Tennessee Board of Regents, student tuition and fees heavily subsidized by TN Promise, TN Reconnect, federal Pell Grants, and the Tennessee Educational Lottery Scholarship, plus non-credit workforce development contracts, employer-sponsored apprenticeships (TRBA, Cherokee Millwright, Harrison Construction, The Systems Group), and grants (Arconic Foundation $50,000 for foster youth workforce; Ratcliffe/Pitch for the Trades; SL Tennessee land and equipment donations). Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via online application and campus enrollment, plus a channel of employer partners who recruit and sponsor apprentices. Leading in 2026, the institution is executing major capacity expansion: a $7.2M Union County campus groundbreaking in December 2024, a 105,000 sq ft main campus replacement funded by Governor Lee's $1 billion TCAT Master Plan, and a planned 130,000 sq ft, $75M Knox Regional Health Science and Simulation Center with Roane State and Covenant Health.

Name

TCAT Knoxville

Legal name

Tennessee College of Applied Technology

Website

https://tcatknoxville.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TCAT Knoxville is a public technical college in East Tennessee, part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system, delivering competency-based certificate and diploma programs in skilled trades, allied health, and technology to adult learners, dual-enrolled high school students, veterans, and employer-sponsored apprentices across five regional campuses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technical and Vocational Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Junior Colleges (61121)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD)

Keywords

• Technical vocational education
• Workforce development training
• Career technical education
• Apprenticeship programs
• Allied health training

Headquarters

HQ city

Knoxville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Student Tuition and Fees: Tuition and fee revenue from enrolled students. Tennessee residents may receive lottery scholarships and grants to cover costs. Many students attend tuition-free through TN Promise, TN Reconnect, and Pell Grants.
2. Government Funding: Public funding through Tennessee Board of Regents system and state appropriations for workforce development programs
3. Workforce Development Non-Credit Courses: Non-credit training courses for business and industry, including online training and specialized employer programs
4. Grants and Donations: Foundation grants such as $50,000 from Arconic Foundation for foster youth workforce initiative and $41,000 from Ratcliffe Foundation for VR technology

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TCAT Knoxville is a public technical college providing competency-based career and technical education programs in skilled trades, allied health, transportation, and computer/cybersecurity fields. It offers open-entry enrollment with individualized pacing across 19 programs at five East Tennessee campus locations, plus workforce development non-credit courses and employer-sponsored apprenticeship pathways.

Product overview

TCAT Knoxville is a technical education institution offering a unified portfolio of career and technical education programs. The institution provides approximately 20+ certificate programs across transportation trades, allied health, and skilled trades, along with workforce development courses and continuing education offerings. Programs range from full-time diploma programs to part-time evening courses and short-term workforce certifications. The institution serves as part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system, providing open-entry enrollment with competency-based instruction designed for direct workforce placement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Automotive Technology Technical training program for automotive repair and maintenance, covering engine systems, electrical systems, brakes, and transmission. Program holds ASE student certifications and is accredited by NATEF.
• Welding Technology Technical training in welding processes including MIG, TIG, and stick welding for industrial applications. Includes American Welding Society (AWS) certifications such as Plate Certification MIG, 6G Pipe Certification TIG, Plate Certification TIG, Pipe Certification TIG, 6G Pipe Certification Stick, and Plate Certification Stick.
• Practical Nursing

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of students in licensure programs passed their exam
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• The Systems GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Partnership to launch Registered Apprenticeship Program, providing structured apprenticeship pathways for workforce development in technical fields.
• Tennessee Road Builders Association (TRBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Created TRBA Apprenticeship Training Pathway for Heavy Equipment Operator training. TCAT designed the course with safety training and basics first. 49 students enrolled in or completed HEO apprenticeship training.
• Harrison ConstructioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2025Knoxville-based employer member of TRBA that sent candidates through HEO training and hired them. Uses TCAT's Cat Simulators for training without requiring five-acre fields.
• Cherokee MillwrightcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Active apprenticeship partnership delivering NCCER Core, NCCER Pipefitting, NCCER Welding, and NCCER Millwright training for industry-recognized credentials.
• Apprenticeship TNcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Statewide initiative of seven state agencies to facilitate new apprenticeship opportunities for employers and employees. Worked with TCAT Knoxville to develop apprenticeship options.
• Tennessee Office of ReentryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Partnership to provide HEO apprenticeship training opportunities for individuals reintegrating into society after involvement with the justice system.
• MakerUSAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2022MakerUSA Innovation Site partnership through NACCE to expand maker education opportunities. MakerUSA is incubated within NACCE and aims to accelerate social mobility through maker career pathways.
• Roane State Community CollegeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2021Partnership for Knox Regional Health Science and Simulation Center - $75M project with 130,000 square feet. TCAT Knoxville's health science programs will be housed in the new facility along with Roane State's nursing, EMS, and other health programs. State funding includes $67.5M with $6.5M campus match and $1M design phase funding.
• Covenant HealthflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2021Healthcare system partner donating land for Knox Regional Health Science and Simulation Center. Covenant Health is the region's most comprehensive healthcare delivery system with 10 hospitals and over 11,000 employees. Land contribution near Parkwest Medical Center is contingent on project's full budgetary approval.
• University of Tennessee, KnoxvillecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2021Collaborative partnership creating educational pathways from technical certificate to associate's degree to bachelor's degree at UT. UT Libraries provides students access to academic resources. Partnership focuses on infrastructure, community engagement, and specialty programs with emphasis on equity and reciprocity.
• Knoxville CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2021Collaborative partnership with UT and TCAT Knoxville focusing on educational pathways and supporting accreditation process for this historically Black college or university.
• Walters State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2021Shared space partnership at Union County campus where both TCAT Knoxville and Walters State will utilize multi-use lab space and classrooms for higher education and workforce learning.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chattanooga State Community College: Tennessee Board of Regents community college with comparable technical and workforce programs in a different Tennessee region. Competes for state appropriations and system-level recognition in the TBR network.
• Volunteer State Community College: Tennessee Board of Regents community college serving the Nashville metro region with overlapping technical education, allied health, and industrial programs. Competes within the same state system for funding and student enrollment.
• Walters State Community College: Tennessee Board of Regents community college that shares space with TCAT Knoxville at the new Union County campus. Overlaps on technical and workforce programs for East Tennessee students, particularly in trades and general education.
• Roane State Community College: Tennessee Board of Regents community college and TCAT Knoxville's Flagship partner on the $75M Knox Regional Health Science and Simulation Center. Overlaps on nursing, EMS, and general technical education in the broader East Tennessee region.
• Pellissippi State Community College: Knoxville-area community college in the Tennessee Board of Regents system, offering overlapping technical and workforce programs including industrial technology, computer information technology, and allied health. Direct competitor for the same regional student population and employer partners.
• TCAT Nashville: One of the other 27 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology in the same state system, with comparable program mix (trades, allied health, transportation). Direct peer for state funding allocation, employer partnerships, and system-level recognition.
• Nashville State Community College: Tennessee Board of Regents community college in Nashville offering overlapping technical certificates, industrial technology, and allied health programs. Competes for state funding, employer partnerships, and serves a similar workforce development mission.

Broad incumbents

• ECPI University: For-profit institution offering accelerated technology, healthcare, and trades-focused programs across multiple campuses. Comparable to TCAT Knoxville in career-oriented technical training, but operates on a private tuition-driven model rather than public funding.
• Lincoln Tech: National for-profit technical college operator with campuses in multiple states offering trades (welding, HVAC, electrical) and automotive programs. Comparable program mix and student demographic to TCAT Knoxville, but private-sector business model rather than public funding.

Regional players

• South College: Knoxville-based private institution offering nursing, healthcare, and professional programs that overlap with TCAT Knoxville's Practical Nursing and health sciences offerings. Same regional student market but private tuition model rather than public funding.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tcatknoxville
• Facebookfacebook.com/tcatknoxville
• Instagraminstagram.com/tcatknoxville

Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TCAT Knoxville