Jump to navigation Skip to Content
Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission have announced that Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis has been awarded a $1,904,761.90 grant through the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) program.
The GIVE program, established soon after Gov. Lee took office in 2019, is designed to address skills gaps in Tennessee's workforce by supporting the development of career pathways that connect postsecondary institutions with local K-12 school systems and local employers.
This is the third round of GIVE grants to be awarded and will allocate a total of $41 million to foster regional partnerships between community colleges, Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), and local industries. The new funding will support 23 projects statewide, through partnerships based at 20 different community colleges and TCATs.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis applied for a GIVE Grant to establish the Retail, Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Technology program. The program is a partnership with University of Memphis’ Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management, along with K-12 partners, Local Workforce and Economic Development Agency partners: Memphis Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Investment Board, Welcome to Memphis, Families Matter, and Youth Villages, and employer partners: MMHLA-Metropolitan Memphis Hotel & Lodging Association, Memphis Restaurant Association, MALCO Theatres, Peabody Hotels and Hilton Worldwide. The list of partners is expected to expand as the grant progresses.
The Hospitality Professionals Integrated Training Network (HOSPITRAIN) program, a groundbreaking initiative led by TCAT Memphis in collaboration with the University of Memphis aims to revolutionize hospitality education in the region. This program will provide students with enhanced access to training in the Retail, Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Technology sectors, addressing critical industry needs. One of the unique aspects of HOSPITRAIN is the introduction of a comprehensive culinary component to the existing Colleges of Applied Technology Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism program, making it the first of its kind in the region. This addition allows students to gain specialized skills in the culinary arts, further broadening their career opportunities in the thriving hospitality industry.
Enrollment for the HOSPITRAIN program will begin in Spring 2025, offering residents of Memphis and surrounding areas a unique chance to develop skills that are in high demand. Participants will benefit from increased work-based learning opportunities, hands-on training, and the strong partnerships forged between educational institutions and industry leaders. This initiative is designed to not only boost individual career prospects but also to strengthen the local economy by preparing a workforce that meets the evolving needs of the hospitality industry.
“We are excited to announce our collaboration with the University of Memphis through the GIVE 3.0 grant to launch the HOSPITRAIN initiative. This marks the first time a TCAT will offer a culinary path as part of our newly developed Retail, Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Technology Program. This partnership is a groundbreaking opportunity to equip our students with the skills needed to excel in these dynamic industries, and it underscores our commitment to expanding educational pathways that meet the evolving needs of our community and the broader workforce,” said Dr. Gwen Sutton, TCAT Memphis President.
"The HOSPITRAIN project is a transformative initiative that addresses the urgent workforce needs within the hospitality sector in Greater Memphis. By fostering collaboration between educational institutions, industry leaders, and local businesses, we are building a robust pipeline of skilled professionals and creating a powerful network of partnerships that will benefit the entire region. These partnerships align education with industry demands, ensuring our graduates are prepared to meet current needs and lead the industry into the future. This project represents a significant investment in our students and the local economy, enhancing opportunities for all stakeholders and solidifying Memphis's position as a center of hospitality excellence," said Dr. Radesh Palakurthi, Professor and Dean, IHG Chair of Excellence, University of Memphis-Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management
In announcing the new round of GIVE Grants, Gov. Lee said, “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,” said Gov. Lee. “As a result, companies are choosing to invest and expand in our state, creating greater opportunity and quality of life for all Tennesseans.”
Since creating GIVE, the state has invested $91.5 million into the program to support rural workforce development through technical education. The first and second rounds of GIVE funding in 2019 and 2021 served an estimated 15,500 students. Tennessee has made notable progress in rural workforce development which has resulted in securing over 41,500 new jobs and nearly $19 billion in capital investment in rural counties since 2019.
Grants of up to $2 million each are awarded through the GIVE program to collaborative efforts that create or expand academic programs, develop work-based learning experiences, or provide industry-recognized certifications in areas of high demand. This initiative not only aims to meet the current needs of employers but also to stimulate economic growth by ensuring that Tennessee’s education system is aligned with workforce requirements.
Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora W. Tydings commended the colleges for initiating the partnerships and applying for and winning the grants to benefit career and technical education in their communities. “The programs and projects funded by this latest round of GIVE Grants will create many new opportunities for Tennesseans to learn career-building skills to compete and advance in today’s technology-based economy, benefitting their families across generations and building strong communities.
“Our community and technical colleges are the front-line providers of academic, career, and technical education. We’re grateful to Governor Lee and the General Assembly for recognizing the need to bridge the skills gap and establishing the GIVE program to help close it,” Dr. Tydings said.
More information on the GIVE initiative is here, and the Governor’s media release with the full list of recipients awarded is here.
* * *
For additional information contact:
Dr. Gwen Sutton, TCAT Memphis President
901-543-6130
