The State of Tennessee, not unlike the rest of the nation, is undergoing the most rapid workforce transformation ever experienced in its’ history. Manufacturers are choosing technology over unskilled labor. Growth in the healthcare field is progressing more rapidly than skilled individuals can be trained to fill vacancies. Jobs that used to require only a high school diploma now require high school plus one to two years additional training. These trends in education and training are forecasted to accelerate over the next decade.  Those who do not keep pace with the demand for increased skills will be relegated to the ranks of the unemployed and/or underemployed.

The Technology Center at Ripley, in recognition of this ever increasing need for education, is working hard to provide skill enhancing opportunities for the citizens of West Tennessee. Whether you are in need of training for an entry level position or an upgrade for promotion, your Technology Center is there to assist you. Employers needing specialized instruction for existing employees may take advantage of customized training programs designed to be both affordable and flexible in nature.

Complimenting course offerings at the Technology Center is the unique environment our adult learners experience upon enrollment. Consider the following. The average age of a TTC-Ripley student is thirty (30). Most have previous work experience. All programs combine hands-on exercises with theory. Licensure and/or certification opportunities exist in all programs. Teachers and instructors have worked in the field in which they instruct. A real world approach drives the way programs are taught - Adult education for adult students.

In selected courses, Co-Op and internship opportunities may exist with local employers. All medical students are subjected to clinical rotations hosted by recognized healthcare providers. For those who wish to continue their education beyond the Technology Center, transfer of credit may be available with selected Community Colleges. Your success in the field of your choice is foremost in our mind.

While the majority of the cost of attending a Technology Center is subsidized by tax dollars, each student shares in the cost of his/her education by paying for tuition, fees books and supplies. To help offset this personal cost, our Student Services personnel have secured financial aid for over eighty percent of all TTC Ripley students. With recent improvements in Federal Financial Aid and the new Wilder – Nafieh Technical Grants, we anticipate the number of persons qualifying for aid will only increase. Continuing your education may be less costly than you think.

If the thought of increasing your marketability in the workforce appeals to you, contact the Tennessee Technology Center at Ripley. By providing Quality Training, your Technology Center wants to prepare you for a Quality Job with Quality Pay.

Brian Collins, Director