NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) announced the awardees for the latest round of the Governor's Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) grants on Wednesday.
GIVE grants are meant to prioritize learning opportunities in rural counties. The most recent round will allocate $41 million to foster partnerships between Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), community colleges and industries across the state.
"The GIVE grants represent a significant step forward in our mission to bridge the skills gap in Tennessee's workforce," said Steven Gentile, THEC's executive director. "By fostering collaboration between educational institutions and local industries, we are not only creating pathways for students in rural and at-risk counties but also ensuring that our state remains competitive in a rapidly evolving job market."
The latest grantees include:
| Grantee | Project Title | Grant Award |
| Cleveland State Community College | ACT Now: Apprenticeships in Careers and Trades | $450,000.00 |
| Dyersburg State Community College | Building Success in the Northwest | $2,000,000.00 |
| Motlow State Community College | Bridges 2 Credentials | $2,000,000.00 |
| Motlow State Community College | Culinary Workforce Innovation and Student Success Harnessed (WIS2H) | $2,000,000.00 |
| Nashville State Community College | Surge to Success | $2,000,000.00 |
| Northeast State Community College | Building Economies through Skilled Trades (BEST) | $1,920,985.00 |
| Pellissippi State Community College | Aviation Maintenance Technology College to Career Collaborative (ATMC3) | $1,999,497.00 |
| Roane State Community College | Leveraging Regional Workforce Partnerships to Create Secondary to Postsecondary Pathways for Nuclear Technology at Roane State | $450,000.00 |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College | Southwest Entertainment Production Collaborative (SPEC) | $1,500,000.00 |
| TCAT Hartsville | Expanding CTE and WBL Pathways for Student Success through Automation, Healthcare and Transportation | $2,000,000.00 |
| TCAT Hohenwald | South Central Partnerships Leading to Career Opportunities | $2,000,000.00 |
| TCAT Jacksboro | PATH - Providing Appalachian Training in Healthcare | $2,000,000.00 |
| TCAT Knoxville | Nuclear Science Pathway | $2,000,000.00 |
| TCAT Knoxville | Industry 4.0 Apprenticeship Pathway – Anderson County | $2,000,000.00 |
| TCAT McMinnville | Workforce Impact and Flexible Innovation | $2,000,000.00 |
| TCAT Memphis | Hospitality Integrated Training Network: Forging Tomorrow's Hospitality Leaders; From Classrooms to Careers in Greater Memphis (HOSPITRAIN) | $1,904,761.90 |
| TCAT Morristown | Five Rivers Partnership for Future Ready Pathways 3.0 | $2,000,000.00 |
| TCAT Nashville | Pathways to Accelerated Career Experiences (PACE) | $1,845,162.72 |
| TCAT Northwest | Advancing the Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Rural West Tennessee | $2,000,000.00 |
| TCAT Oneida | Focus on Industry Readiness for Student Training (FIRST) | $2,000,000.00 |
| TCAT Pulaski | Doubling Down on Dual Enrollment | $1,263,276.00 |
| Walter State Community College | Growing Regional Opportunities for Workforce – Funding Investment for Regional Stem (GROW FIRST) | $1,999,794.96 |
| Walters State Community College | Creating Tech Pathways for Success | $1,999,882.38 |
Grants of up to $2 million are awarded to proposals that create or expand academic programs, develop work-based learning experiences and provide certifications in high-demand industries.
“The state with the workers will win every time, and that’s why workforce development has been one of my top priorities since day one,” Governor Bill Lee said, according to a THEC press release. “As a result, companies are choosing to invest and expand in our state, creating greater opportunity and quality of life for all Tennesseans.”