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TBR highlights TCAT expansion, workforce partnerships and Memphis aviation campus move
Summary
The Tennessee Board of Regents told the committee TCAT enrollment and workforce training expanded sharply, outlined a multiyear TCAT master‑plan rollout, and said the Memphis Aviation campus requires relocation because the airport authority needs the current site.
Dr. Flora Tydings, chancellor for the Tennessee Board of Regents, and TBR staff described system accomplishments and funding needs, stressing workforce training and an ongoing TCAT construction program.
TBR reported enrollment and training growth: a 7% overall enrollment increase systemwide, 20% growth at TCATs and 4% at community colleges; system workforce training totaled about 1.4 million contact hours, serving 37,388 individuals and 600 businesses in the last year.
TCAT master plan and capital projects
Tydings said the TCAT master plan is on schedule: projects have been designed and ground has been broken on 37 projects funded by a multi‑year $1.5 billion program. She told the committee the TCAT buildings were designed to be adaptable for future industry needs and highlighted a warranty program that guarantees retraining for graduates whose skills do not meet employer needs; she said the program had issued 88,221 credentials and reported zero claims under the warranty.
Memphis Aviation campus
TBR explained the Memphis Aviation campus must relocate because the airport authority requires the current property for expansion. Tydings said TBR and aviation stakeholders have identified relocation property and that airport and industry partners, including FedEx and the airport authority, have agreed to help with relocation costs though the amount was not finalized. TBR requested $20 million in the governor’s budget to begin the replacement project and said the full campus replacement is currently about $21.3 million short of requested funds.
Workforce partnerships and new programs
Tydings highlighted partnerships and new programs: a Nashville Songwriters Association International collaboration to provide music‑industry business training, an LPN/RN apprenticeship program developed with the Tennessee Hospital Association and Department of Labor (supported by a $300,000 grant), and an expanded partnership with Nissan to staff instructors at multiple TCAT sites. TBR also requested recurring funds for a Center for Workforce Development expansion to increase staff and statewide coordination; chancellor testimony said two center staff managed the existing program that delivered more than a million hours of training and that the requested recurring funds (approximately $2.27 million) would expand staffing and operations.
Questions and context
Committee members questioned timelines, bond capacity and program costs. Tydings said capital projects are being executed to schedule and defended the approach of balancing capital maintenance with select new construction; she also said institutions vary in debt capacity and that an expanded bond authority would be used selectively by campuses with capacity.
Ending
TBR officials thanked the committee for prior investments and asked lawmakers to consider the outstanding gaps in Memphis aviation funding and the recurring request for workforce center expansion as the budget process continued.
