SMYRNA, TN - The Nissan Vehicle Assembly Plant in Smyrna donated a Nissan Pathfinder to TCAT Shelbyville and an Infiniti QX55 to TCAT McMinnville this week for their automotive programs. These vehicles will help students gain hands-on experience while learning valuable skills for their future careers. Such an involved approach to education will continue to play a vital role in building a skilled workforce ready to drive innovation in Middle Tennessee.

Last summer, Nissan launched Centers of Excellence in Decherd, Tennessee, in partnership with the Tennessee Board of Regents, Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT), and local schools to boost workforce development in the automotive industry. In August of that same year, high school students were taught by Nissan employees who served as full-time instructors.

The initiative aims to equip students with skills for advanced manufacturing careers through a curriculum focused on areas such as mechatronics and Industry 4.0 technologies. Participants can earn industry-recognized certifications, including Manufacturing Skill Standards Council Certified Production Technician certificates and OSHA 10.

Also this week, Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora Tydings visited the TCAT Smyrna Campus/Nissan Training Center, where she met with students and faculty regarding the Industrial Electrical Maintenance and Mechatronics Program.

Looking back, TCAT Murfreesboro, along with Nissan North America, began accepting its first students at the Smyrna Campus and Nissan Training Center in 2017. Today, the 162,000-square-foot technical training center is jointly occupied by the college and Nissan, representing a public-private partnership designed to create educational opportunities closely aligned with current workforce needs in the region. The state-of-the-art campus, valued at $45.75 million, offers high-quality programs to prepare students and Nissan employees for careers in advanced manufacturing and other fields.

With more than 7,000 team members, the Nissan plant in Smyrna is the highest-volume automotive plant in North America. Directly across the street from the plant is the North Rutherford County TCAT building.