Career-focused technical education in Tennessee with workforce-ready certificates and diplomas in one year or less.
TCAT Shelbyville offers certificates and diplomas across 11 technical programs designed for rapid workforce entry. Core offerings include Automotive Technology, HVAC/R, Industrial Electricity, Machine Tool Technology, Welding, Practical Nursing, Truck Driving, Computer Aided Design, Information Technology and Infrastructure Management, and Industrial Maintenance Automation. The college operates on a year-round trimester system with full-time programs meeting five days per week for six hours daily. Part-time evening programs are available in select disciplines. Supplemental classes in computer technology, leadership, and office occupations are customized to meet business and industry demand.
TCAT Shelbyville pioneered cloud-based learning infrastructure among Tennessee higher education institutions. The college operates a comprehensive Learning Management System using Moodle, offers online classes and live hardware cloud services for IT students, and implements web-based SCADA curriculum integrating industrial equipment with cloud computing. The institution's technical blog reached over 3.6 million readers by mid-2019 and maintains a global following. Professional testing delivery through Prometric, Pearson VUE, Certiport, and COMPASS supports career-based certifications.
Admission requires applicants to be at least 18 years old or possess a high school diploma/equivalent, with enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis. The college accepts applications year-round for three trimester start dates (Fall, Spring, Summer), with acceptance offers made in July, November, and March respectively. Financial aid includes FAFSA-based Pell grants, TN Promise scholarships, TN Reconnect, and Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grants. Veteran and active-duty student services are available. Student organizations include SkillsUSA, National Technical Honor Society, and Student Government Association.
Recent data shows 326 students completed TCAT Shelbyville programs with an 89% employment rate in their field of study. Graduates exit with zero student loan debt. The college serves a broad geographic region including Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore, and Rutherford counties. Remote campuses in Winchester, Tullahoma, Fayetteville, and Lewisburg expand access to specialized programs. The institution partners with industry through professional memberships with organizations like ASE, CompTIA, American Welding Society, and National League for Nursing.