TOP PHOTO: The Tennessee Valley Authority presented a check for$1,500 to the Tennessee College of Applied Technology on Monday morning to be used in the school’s welding program. TCAT welding students are pictured in the back row. Front row left to right is State Representative Dennis Powers, TCAT president Debbie Petree, TVA’s Bert Robinson, Welding program instructor Robert Kennedy, State Senator Ken Yager, LaFollette Utilities Kenny Baird and TVA’s Robbie Ansary.

Left to right, State Representative Dennis Powers, TCAT president Debbie Petree, TVA’S Bert Robinson and State Senator Ken Yager share some laughs during Monday’s tour of the welding shop. TVA made a $1,500 donation to TCAT for welding supplies.

By Charlotte Underwood
JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) received a check for $1,500 from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) on Monday morning. State Senator Ken Yager and State Representative Dennis Powers were present with several TVA officials to make the check presentation to TCAT President Debbie Petree. 

The funds will be used for materials such as metal and welding rods for instructional purposes in the school’s welding program.

Student welders in TCAT’S welding program.

“This is really exciting for our campus. We are very fortunate to have partners like TVA and supporters like Senator Ken Yager and Representative Dennis Powers. It enhances what we can do for our students with our programs and moving them forward in their careers,” Petree said. 

Tennessee Valley Authority’s Director of Government and Community Relations Bert Robinson said making a community contribution to the welding program was an investment in the future.

State Representative Dennis Powers, TCAT Counselor Camilla Gambrel, State Senator Ken Yager and TCAT president Debbie Petree during Monday’s tour of TCAT’s welding program.

“TVA uses a lot of skilled trades and labor graduates. We are always looking for good welders to come work for TVA at our power plants, whether they be coal, gas or nuclear; it is a very important skill. This is one small way we can give back to the workforce of the future by supporting programs like this,” Robinson said.

He also said anytime TVA makes donations such as this, it is in partnerships with local power companies like LaFollette Utilities. 

“We appreciate Kenny Baird and LUB for being our partner in this, as well as all of our customers,” Robinson said. 

After the check presentation, Senator Yager and Representative Powers and others toured the welding shop classroom.

New welding booths at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology.

Petree showed visitors the new welding booths and equipment that was part of a recent welding program expansion at the campus.

“It’s an honor to be a supporter of TCAT and this program,” Yager said.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/20/2021-6AM)