ANDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology to offer a hand tools certification program for inmates at the Anderson County Detention Center.
The program teaches participants how to use tools including wrenches, screwdrivers, and cutters as a foundation for entering skilled trades.
TCAT is also offering the program at jails in Loudon and Sevier counties and is working to expand it to Knox and Union counties.
Inmate Shelly Galloway completed the certification and said the experience changed her outlook.
Galloway added the coursework was challenging but that support from instructors and the sheriff’s office helped her through it.
“We had a board that we demonstrated on that was really fun every day,” she said.
TCAT Community Engagement Coordinator Becky Russell said the certification opens doors across multiple industries.
Program Director LaCresha Logan said the initiative is designed to build confidence in inmates who are managing personal and legal challenges while incarcerated.
“A lot of times people are coming in and out from court. They have families at home that they’re getting news about, some things that they may not want to hear,” Logan said.
Logan added the hand tools certification is a starting point.
TCAT’s Pathways Program connects graduates to further education, apprenticeships and employers actively seeking workers.
Sally Porter said demand from employers is a driving factor behind the program.
“Construction companies are coming to us and saying they’re aging out. Their workforce is aging out. They need heavy equipment operators,” Porter said.
“It’s not just, oh, you’ve been to jail, so now there’s nothing there. You can’t do anything after that. It gives me hope that there is something beyond these walls,” she said.
The next session of the hand tools class begins in May.
Logan said she is working to bring additional certifications to the detention center, including a soldering certification.
You can learn more about the pathways https://tcatknoxville.edu/news/tennessee-college-applied-technology-knoxville-adds-apprenticeship-option-its-heavy-equipment.
TCAT Certification Program (WVLT)
