JSCC and TCAT-Jackson create pathway to stem skilled labor shortage

Jackson State Community College and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) at Jackson signed an articulation agreement on May 14, 2021. The agreement will allow for TCAT students in the Industrial Maintenance Integrated Automation program to have a more seamless transfer of credits to JSCC's Engineering Systems Technology (EST) program.

According to TCAT-Jackson president Dr. Jeff Sisk, students will be able to pursue an Associate of Applied Science from JSCC without duplicating coursework from their TCAT program. "Perhaps the most important aspect for a manufacturing operation to be successful is the availability of a well-trained maintenance staff who are continuing to upgrade their skills with continuing education," said Sisk. "This agreement creates a pathway to do just that."

The EST program at JSCC has a 30-member consortium of area manufacturers that works to provide technical or technical-management-oriented professionals for employment in many business sectors. JSCC dean of business and industry Terri Messer notes the extreme shortage of skilled labor not only locally, but nationally and even globally. "We are looking for ways to help meet this demand," said Messer, "and facilitating this pathway from TCAT to JSCC is one of several ways we are rising to meet this challenge."

Graduates from the EST program typically find employment in areas such as an industrial technician, robotics technician, mechanical drafter, multi-craft maintenance technician, control systems technician, and PLC programmer. To learn more about the opportunities in Engineering Systems Technology at JSCC, visit jscc.edu/EST.