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Early Technical College highlights city internship pipeline; director cites 21% city-hire rate
Summary
Early Technical College leaders and a student told the Clarksville City Council the internship program launched in 2021 places students across city departments and yields measurable local hires and pay ranges, and the college outlined a credit-articulation agreement to expand career pathways.
Early Technical College (TCAT) students and program leaders presented a summary of a city internship partnership during the Clarksville City Council meeting, saying the hands-on placements launched in 2021 have led directly to jobs in the public and private sectors.
"My name is Levi Good. I am a senior at Early Technical College and I have been the president of National Technical Honor Society," student Levi Good said, describing his internship with Justin Crosby in building and codes and recounting an incident where his coursework helped him identify refrigerant tanks he believed were tied to drug production. "I am happy to potentially have taken a drug production facility off the streets thanks to knowledge gained by ETC."
Constance Brown of Early Technical College told the council the internship program began in 2021 and has placed students in building and codes, facilities and maintenance, fleet maintenance and the street department. She highlighted multiple alumni and apprenticeships, including placements with AO Smith, Vestos, Toyota and local employers in the Clarksville industrial park.
"As a matter of fact, 21% of the students that have interned with the city are now working for the city," Brown said. She also said student salaries from these placements range "from $40,000 to almost $100,000," many with full benefits, and emphasized the local economic impact as graduates spend wages in Clarksville and Montgomery County.
Brown outlined plans to expand partnerships and described an articulation agreement with Pellissippi State that will allow students who finish the IMM program to transfer 13 credits toward an associate degree in water-quality technology. That pathway, she said, will accelerate entry into water-quality and utility careers locally.
Council members and the mayor responded with applause and thanks; no formal council action was recorded in the transcript on the presentation. The council then moved on to the consent agenda and committee reports.
