Athens - Tennessee Board of Regents | Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology Master Plan: Athens Between 2010 and 2020, population in the region is expected grow more slowly than

19Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology Master Plan: Athens

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Athens is located on Vo-Tech Drive just off of U.S. Highway 11, a few miles west of downtown Athens and 3 miles south of Interstate 75. Buildings on campus total approximately 58,700 gross square feet. During the 2012-2013 academic year, the adjusted full-time equivalent enrollment was 146 students.

Regional Context

TCAT Athens is located in Local Workforce Investment Area 5, which includes nine counties in the greater Chattanooga region. The population of this region was 603,304 as of 2010. There were 247,227 primary jobs as of 2011.

Workforce Investment Area 5

TCAT Athens is located in the nine county area of Local Workforce Investment Area 5

BLEDSOE

G E O R G I A

TCAT Athens

HAMILTON BRADLEYPOLK

MCMINN

MEIG

S

RHEA

SEQUAT-CHIE

MARION

MONROE

ROANE

LOUDON

CUMBERLAND

VAN BUREN

GRUNDY

WARREN

Athens

20 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology Master Plan: Athens

Between 2010 and 2020, population in the region is expected grow more slowly than the state as a whole, according to state projections. This would seem to indicate that job growth would also be moderate, but this projection may not take into account recent factors in regional job and population growth. Worker age profiles closely mirror those for the state as a whole. The area has a higher percentage of jobs with a salary of $40,000 or more compared to the state.

Educational attainment in the region is higher than in Tennessee as a whole. Compared to the state average, about 4% more residents have earned a Bachelor’s Degree or more. The percentage of residents without a high school degree or equivalent (14%) is less than the state average of 16%.

According to the U.S. Census, the following industry sectors occupy a significantly higher percentage of the regional labor pool compared to the statewide average: manufacturing; transportation & warehousing; and finance & insurance.

The following industry sectors occupy a significantly lower percentage of the regional labor pool compared to the statewide average: wholesale trade; educational services; and public administration.

The regional employment outlook by industry cluster shown on page 22 comes from the Occupational Trends in Tennessee Employment Report (OTTER) from the Tennessee Department of Labor. All data are shown for Local Workforce Investment Area 5, which includes McMinn County, except for Industrial Maintenance data, which is only available for the state as a whole.

According to this data, all industry demand clusters related to programs taught at TCAT Athens are expected to grow between 2012 and 2020. Electronics Technology, Pharmacy Technician, and Practical Nursing are expected to be the fastest growing industries with related TCAT programs.

The job outlook in all industry clusters takes into consideration the following factors:

• Growth rate in the industry cluster relative to the statewide growth rate for that industry cluster

• Number of annual job openings

LWIA 5 Tennessee2000 Population 551,925 5,689,2832010 Population 603,304 6,346,1052020 Population (projected)

636,372 6,894,708

Annual Growth (projected)

0.5% 0.8%

Population

LWIA 5 TennesseeTotal Primary Jobs 247,227 2,478,765Jobs held by those age 29 and younger

23% 23%

Jobs held by those age 30 to 54

57% 57%

Jobs held by those age 55 and older

20% 20%

Jobs with salary of $15,000 or less

22% 22%

Jobs with salary of $15,000 to $40,000

43% 42%

Jobs with salary of $40,000 or higher

35% 37%

Employment by Age and Salary (2011)

Source: U.S. Census, Tennessee State Data Center

Source: U.S. Census On The Map

Source: U.S. Census

2012 Educational Attainment (Percent of Population Age 25+)

No High School Diploma

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Some College/Associates Degree

Completed High School

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Completed High School

LWIA 5 Tennessee

Some College/Associates Degree

No High School Diploma


The Automotive Technology and Auto Body/Collision Repair programs are expected to have a more competitive job market, in part due to the higher number of graduates in these fields relative to the number of anticipated job openings. Some of these graduates and job openings, however, may be related to four-year programs and not affect the demand for those with certificates or the Associate’s degrees into which some TCAT students articulate.

Program Analysis

The regional context above shows broader trends in the region. In order to obtain a more detailed picture of the needs of each program, the master planning team interviewed the TCAT Director, members of the Business and Industry Advisory Group, and key faculty. In addition, all faculty were invited to participate in an online survey.

The following paragraphs summarize the results of the input received by these methods for each program. There are currently no evening programs.

Enrollment in the Automotive Technology and Auto Body/Collision Repair programs is expected to remain constant in the next five years. Interest in the Automotive Technology program is consistently high.

The Business Systems Technology program is expected to increase in enrollment in the near future, in part due to a growing job market.

• Supply demand ratio (the ratio of graduates of programs in all related higher education programs to the number of job openings)

Based on these factors, the following programs are predicted to have an excellent job outlook in the region: Business Systems Technology, Electronics Technology, and Industrial Electricity.

The following programs are expected to have very good or favorable job prospects: Industrial Maintenance, Machine Tool Technology, Pharmacy Technician, Practical Nursing, and Welding Technology.

LWIA 5 TennesseeAgriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting

0.1% 0.3%

Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction

0.1% 0.1%

Utilities 0.7% 0.7%Construction 4.3% 4.1%Manufacturing 16.8% 12.4%Wholesale Trade 3.6% 4.7%Retail Trade 10.8% 12.1%Transportation & Warehousing

6.8% 5.0%

Information 1.4% 1.8%Finance & Insurance 6.1% 4.1%Real Estate & Rental & Leasing

1.1% 1.2%

Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services

4% 4.3%

Management of Companies & Enterprises

0.6% 1.2%

Administration & Support, Waste Management & Remediation

6% 6.5%

Educational Services 7.5% 9.4%Health Care & Social Assistance

14.5% 14.3%

Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation

1% 1.0%

Accommodation & Food Services

8.5% 8.7%

Other Services (excluding Public Administration)

2.9% 2.7%

Public Administration 3.4% 5.3%

Employment by Industry Sector (2011)

Source: U.S. Census On The Map

Moderate population growth projections and a young, educated workforce contribute to a competitive regional labor market. Technical education, particularly in key sectors, will be vital for expanding individual and regional opportunity.


The Practical Nursing program is expected to increase in enrollment in the coming years, in part due to increasing needs in the region for health care professionals. Interest in this program is consistently high.

Enrollment in the Welding Technology program is expected to remain constant in the next five years, in part to avoid flooding the market with graduates who might struggle to find job placements. Interest in this program is consistently high.

Enrollment in the Electronics Technology program is expected to increase in the coming years, in part due to growing industry dependence on technology.

The Industrial Electricity program is expected to increase in enrollment in the near future, in part due to increasing industry demands. Interest in this program is consistently high.

Enrollment in the Industrial Maintenance program is expected to remain constant in the coming years. The campus plans to close this program combine its enrollment with the Industrial Electricity program.

Demand for graduates of the Machine Tool Technology program is expected to increase in the next five years, due in part to increasing needs for qualified machinists.

Enrollment in the Pharmacy Technician program is expected to increase in the near future, in part due to the future certification requirements by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

Regional Employment Outlook by Industry Cluster (2012-2020)

Program Related Industry Demand Cluster(s)Graduates to

Jobs RatioAverage Annual Growth in Jobs Job Outlook

Auto Body/ Collision Repair

Collision Repair Technology 2.2 1.1% D (Competitive)

Automotive Technology Automotive Technology 1.7 1.3% D (Competitive)Business Systems Technology

Administrative and Information Support

0.3 1.3% A (Excellent)

Electronics Technology Electrical, Electronic Equip. Repairers 0.6 2.5% A (Excellent)Industrial Electricity Construction Electrical 1.0 1.7% A (Excellent)Industrial Maintenance* Operations and Maintenance 0.5 0.8% B ( Very Good)Machine Tool Technology

Precision Production Pathway 0.0 0.8% B (Very Good)

Pharmacy Technician Pharmacy Assisting 1.0 2.6% C (Favorable)Practical Nursing (LPN) Practical Nurse (LPN) 1.4 2.3% C (Favorable)Welding Technology Construction Welding 1.0 1.0% C (Favorable)

Data shown is for Local Workforce Investment Area 5 Source: Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Labor Market Information SectionUngraded programs are those without enough jobs or graduates to count, a negative job growth rate, or fewer than 10 placements*Information for this program is based on statewide data because regional data is not available


Source: Tennessee Board of Regents Central Office

Program Enrollment Headcount

Completion Count

Completion Rate

Statewide Average

Auto Body/Collision Repair 4 3 75% 79%Automotive Technology 12 10 83% 83%Business Systems Technology 16 13 81% 80%Electronics Technology 13 12 92% 90%Industrial Electricity 16 14 88% 88%Industrial Maintenance 14 12 86% 87%Machine Tool Technology 11 11 100% 87%Pharmacy Technician n/a n/a n/a n/aPractical Nursing (LPN) 39 28 72% 79%Welding Technology 10 10 100% 89%Total/Average 135 113 84% 85%

Completion Rates by Program (2012-2013)

Program Available for Placement

Placement Count

Placement Rate

Statewide Average

Auto Body/Collision Repair 3 3 100% 86%Automotive Technology 10 9 90% 87%Business Systems Technology 12 10 83% 76%Electronics Technology 7 7 100% 81%Industrial Electricity 14 14 100% 87%Industrial Maintenance 12 8 67% 83%Machine Tool Technology 11 9 82% 88%Pharmacy Technician n/a n/a n/a n/aPractical Nursing (LPN) 27 24 89% 90%Welding Technology 10 9 90% 85%Total/Average 106 93 88% 85%

Placement Rates by Program (2012-2013)

Source: Tennessee Board of Regents Central Office


What one word would you use to describe students’ first impression of the campus and facilities?

What one word would you use to describe what the college could become in the future?

The “wordles” above are based on responses to the online survey

Potential Future Programs

TCAT Athens hopes to add an HVACR program in the near future, as well as a tool & die component to the Machine Tool Technology program and a light duty diesel component to the Automotive Technology program.

Based on data from the Tennessee Department of Labor, the following industries have excellent or very good job outlooks, but there are not currently any programs at TCAT Athens that meet these industries’ needs: nursery/horticulture; production animals; HVACR; industrial hygiene; nursing assistants & home health; network systems; veterinary technology; masonry; graphic design; surgical technology; emergency medical technician; medical lab technician; medical assistant; web/multimedia/programming; drafting & design; truck, bus, rail, water transportation & heavy equipment.


Space Needs

The master planning team performed a detailed space audit of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Athens in order to obtain the most up-to-date room inventory. Room areas and use codes were updated as needed; a list of updates was provided to the campus.

Numbers from the updated space audit, combined with enrollment and employee counts provided by the Tennessee Board of Regents central office, served as the inputs for the space model that calculated needed space. For details regarding the model and an explanation of its methodology, see Appendix A.

As shown in the chart at right, the model shows that there is currently a significant surplus of administrative office space. This is likely due to the fact that administrative office support space, such as file rooms and conference rooms, is not fully accounted for in the model. The model shows a significant deficit of faculty office space, although most instructors indicated in surveys that their offices were adequately sized. This may be because some programs do not have dedicated office space and it is not desired by current instructors.

The chart at center right compares four existing types of space with modeled space needs in those categories. The open computer lab category includes space for Technology Foundations, testing, and open computer labs. The model shows a need for approximately 400 additional square feet of this type of space, based on current enrollment.

The model shows that existing food service space is significantly more than adequate. This category includes student lunch rooms or lounges, vending machine areas, and the like.

Meeting space includes space available for community use, staff meetings, and large gatherings of students. There is currently a surplus of space in this category. This space is important for its role in marketing to the regional community.

Central service and storage space does not include storage and service space for individual programs or for offices. It includes storage for campus-wide supplies, maintenance and janitorial supplies, surplus equipment, vehicle storage, and the like. The model shows that there is a need for more of this type of space.

Office Space Needs

Net

Squ

are F

eet

Existing space Modeled space needs

Administrative Office Space

Faculty Office Space

Other Space Needs

Net

Squ

are F

eet

Existing space Modeled space needs

Open Computer Lab Space

Food Service Space

Meeting Space

Central Service/Storage Space

Non-Teaching Space Needs

Each space category includes related support space such as conference rooms and storage closets; negative numbers indicate a space surplus

Existing Assignable

Sq. Ft.

Additional Space Needed

(Sq. Ft.)Administrative Offices 3,082 -1,236Faculty Offices 1,335 849Open Computer Labs 754 415Food Service 1,957 -1,372Meeting Space 1,600 -723Central Service/Storage 1,486 707


The chart on the following page shows the model’s calculated needs for teaching space for each program. Teaching space is the sum of classroom and lab (also referred to as shop) space, as well as any storage or other space that directly supports teaching space.

Bars that extend to the right in the chart indicate a need for more space, while bars that extend to the left show a surplus of existing space. Where the bars show both surplus and need, the amount of existing space is within the acceptable range.

Because the model assumes a range of acceptable space, the darker blue bars show the minimum amount of space needed and the lighter blue bars show the maximum amount of space needed. All calculations are based on existing enrollment rather than capacity, so modeled needs would increase with enrollment.

The following paragraphs summarize each program’s space needs, based on the results of the model, interviews with faculty and administrators, and online survey responses.

• There is a significant surplus of teaching space for the Auto Body/Collision Repair program according to the model. Needs would change if enrollment were to increase. The campus confirmed that the amount of existing space is adequate.

• Teaching space for the Automotive Technology program would need to expand by between approximately 700 and 1,700 square feet to adequately serve current enrollment according to the model. The campus indicated that the amount of existing space is adequate.

• There is a significant surplus of teaching space for the Business Systems Technology program according to the model. The campus indicated that the amount of existing space is adequate.

• The model shows a need for a small amount of additional space for the Electronics Technology program. The campus indicated that the amount of existing space is adequate.

• The amount of teaching space for the Industrial Electricity program is within the acceptable range according to the model and the campus.

• Teaching space for the Industrial Maintenance program would need to expand by between approximately 400 and 2,000 square feet to adequately serve current enrollment according to the model. There is no classroom space for this

Adjusted FTE Enrollment

Enrollment is based on total contact hour data for the 2012-2013 academic year and assumes 1,296 contact hours per full-time equivalent student Source: Tennessee Board of Regents Central Office

2012-2013 Enrollment

Auto Body/Collision Repair 11Automotive Technology 16Business Systems Technology 12Electronics Technology 17Industrial Electricity 19Industrial Maintenance 16Machine Tool Technology 11Pharmacy Technician 8Practical Nursing (LPN) 23Welding Technology 13Total 146

program. The campus confirmed these needs, but indicated plans to combine this program with the Industrial Electricity program.

• Teaching space for the Machine Tool Technology program would need to expand by between approximately 150 and 800 square feet to be adequate according to the model. These needs would increase with enrollment. The campus confirmed the need for additional space, especially for additional machines and an expanded computer lab.

• The model shows a small surplus of teaching space for the Pharmacy Technician program. This is likely due to the fact that enrollment was low during the 2012-2013 academic year because of a high number of dropouts. The campus confirmed that the amount of existing space is adequate.

• There is a surplus of teaching space for the Practical Nursing (LPN) program according to the model. This is likely due to the fact that enrollment was low during the 2012-2013 academic year because of a high number of dropouts. The campus indicated the need for a larger classroom.

• The amount of teaching space for the Welding Technology program is within the acceptable range according to the model. Both the model and the campus indicate a need for more classroom space.


Teaching Space NeedsSurplus Need

Minimum space neededMaximum space needed

sq. ft.

Teaching Space NeedsTotal Existing

Classroom & Lab SpaceMinimum Additional

Space NeededMaximum Additional

Space NeededAuto Body/Collision Repair 6,954 -2,064 -1,185Automotive Technology 4,243 723 1,680Business Systems Technology 2,668 -2,046 -1,921Electronics Technology 2,797 222 725Industrial Electricity 3,562 -1,148 766Industrial Maintenance 2,500 405 2,008Machine Tool Technology 3,694 141 808Pharmacy Technician 1,726 -421 -260Practical Nursing (LPN) 4,345 -805 -112Welding Technology 3,772 -126 503

Auto Body/Collision Repair

All numbers shown are in assignable square feet and include related support space related to each program, such as storage closets and tool rooms; negative numbers indicate a space surplus

Automotive Tech.

Business Systems Technology

Electronics Technology

Industrial Electricity

Industrial Maintenance

Machine Tool Technology

Pharmacy Technician

Practical Nursing (LPN)

Welding Technology


Detailed Teaching Space Needs

All numbers shown are in assignable square feet and include related support space related to each program, such as storage closets and tool rooms; negative numbers indicate a space surplus *The model assumes that the Business Systems Technology program does not need separate classroom space

Existing Classroom

Space

Additional Classroom Space

Needed

Existing Lab

Space

Minimum Additional Lab Space Needed

Maximum Additional Lab Space Needed

Auto Body/Collision Repair 420 80 6,534 -2,144 -1,265Automotive Technology 415 85 3,828 638 1,595Business Systems Technology 1,113 -1,113* 1,555 -933 -808Electronics Technology 947 -447 1,850 669 1,172Industrial Electricity 1,732 -1,232 1,830 84 1,998Industrial Maintenance 0 500 2,500 -95 1,508Machine Tool Technology 236 264 3,458 -123 544Pharmacy Technician 1,546 -1,046 180 625 786Practical Nursing (LPN) 1,068 -514 1,677 -291 402Welding Technology 280 220 3,492 -346 283

Space Recommendations

The following recommendations offer one potential set of solutions to address the space needs identified above. The proposed Center for Advanced Manufacturing, which would be located somewhere in McMinn County, would be primarily dedicated to industry training, but could also provide space for a full-time Welding program for the TCAT. This space would be leased.

• Construct an addition where shown on the plan to provide expanded teaching space for the Machine Tool Technology program, potentially for the proposed tool & die component.

• Construct an addition where shown on the plan to create a classroom for the Industrial Maintenance program. Existing Industrial Maintenance space should also be combined with Industrial Electricity space.

• When the proposed Center for Advanced Manufacturing opens, the Industrial Maintenance and Industrial Electricity programs could be relocated from the Main Campus to that site. The proposed HVACR program could backfill that space.

• Convert room 119 in the East Wing Shop building from a multipurpose room to a classroom for the Welding Technology program.

• Convert room 111 in the Administration building from the student lunch room to a multipurpose meeting room. The student lunch room should then be relocated to room 107, currently used for Technology Foundations. Technology Foundations should then be relocated to room 188D, currently used as a classroom for the Business Systems program.

• As renovations and migrations occur, care should be taken to provide each faculty member with adequate office space.

• Purchase or construct a new storage building.


Proposed Migration Plan

Floor plans were provided by the campus and may not be to scale or accurately reflect existing conditions

inset

Practical N

ursing

Classroom

A

Key Existing Use Proposed UseA Technology Foundations Lunch RoomB Lunch Room Multipurpose RoomC Multipurpose Room Welding ClassroomD Business Classroom Technology Foundations

Nursing

Computer

Lab

Practical N

ursing L

ab

Administrativ

e

Offices

Mechani-

cal Space

Rest

Rooms

Electronics Technology Lab

Electronics Technology Lab

Pharmacy Technician Classroom

B

CD

Administrative Offices

Business Systems Technology Lab

Industrial Electricity Lab

Industrial Electricity Classroom

Industrial Maintenance

Lab

Auto Classrm.

Automotive Technology

Lab Machine Tool Lab

Welding Technology

Lab

Auto Body/Collision

Repair Lab

Paint Booth

Auto Body/Collision

Repair Lab

Class-room


Proposed Improvements

°

LegendA B

Proposed Industrial Maintenance Expansion

Proposed Machine Tool Expansion

A

B

McMinn County High School

Vo-Tech Drive

Dennis Street


Site Needs

No major site needs were noted. Pavement in the existing parking lot and driveways has some cracks and potholes that need repair. According to parking ratio assumptions developed as part of this Master Plan, and based on the existing number of students, faculty, administrators, and staff on campus, parking is currently adequate. The campus indicated a need for additional parking.

It is recommended that the campus work with the County to rename the street from Vo-Tech Drive to TCAT Drive. No property acquisition is recommended as a part of this master plan.

Facilities Needs

A comprehensive facilities needs assessment was conducted by architectural and engineering representatives of the master planning team for the Main Campus only. The detailed results and comments of that assessment have been documented in the online Physical Facilities Survey. The primary needs are as follows:

• There are a number of cracked and leaking windows in several buildings.

• Flooring is worn and needs replacing in many locations, particularly in the Administration building.

• There is no central domestic hot water system in the Administration building.

• The existing air cooled chiller in the Administration building is in poor condition.

• Staff stated that a new Johnson Controls head end was installed in the Administration building but does/cannot operate the existing HVAC control devices.

• Humidity problems were noted in the oldest (northernmost) portion of the Administration building, where several dehumidifiers were observed. A complete test & balance and building envelope investigation would be necessary to determine the cause, but it may be due to negative pressure that allows outside air to infiltrate the building.

• Ventilation in the Welding Technology lab (room 120 of the East Wing Shop building) is poor.

• The electrical capacity in both the East and West Shop buildings is at capacity. Existing buss ducts are original to the building and repair parts are difficult to locate.

• Ventilation in the Auto Body/Collision Repair labs (rooms 122F and 122L in the South Wing Shop building) is poor.

• The Industrial Maintenance and Industrial Electricity labs (rooms 124 and 126 in the West Wing Shop building) are separated by the Industrial Electricity classroom (room 125), but share a common fan coil unit and thermostat, leading to a temperature imbalance.


Building ID Building Name Year Built Use Code Gross Sq. Ft.101 Administration 1965 10 (Classroom/Office) 27,923102 East Wing Shop 1965 14 (Instructional Shop) 10,963103 South Wing Shop 1975 14 (Instructional Shop) 8,564104 West Wing Shop 1965 14 (Instructional Shop) 11,270

Existing Buildings

System Administration East Wing Shop South Wing Shop West Wing ShopSubstructure Foundation 100% 100% 100% 100%

Basement Construction 100% 100% 100% 100%Shell Superstructure 90% 100% 80% 100%

Exterior Enclosure 70% 80% 90% 80%Roofing 100% 100% 100% 100%

Interiors Interior Construction 70% 100% 100% 100%Stairs 100% 100% 100% 100%Interior Finishes 80% 100% 100% 100%

Systems Conveying 100% 100% 100% 100%Plumbing 70% 100% 100% 100%HVAC 70% 70% 70% 70%Fire Protection 70% 70% 70% 100%Electrical 100% 70% 100% 70%Data & Communications 90% 100% 100% 100%

General Equipment & Furnishings 100% 100% 100% 100%Special Construction 100% 100% 100% 100%Site Conditions 70% 100% 100% 100%Safety Standards 100% 100% 100% 100%Building Suitability 100% 100% 100% 100%Building Adaptability 100% 100% 100% 100%

Weighted Average 86% 90% 92% 92%

Physical Facilities Survey Ratings Summary

Source: Tennessee Board of Regents Physical Facilities Survey online database, review ratings (updated by Master Plan team in November 2013) Weighted averages take into account the respective weights of each system

Source: Tennessee Board of Regents Physical Facilities Survey online database


Building Clarification Diagram

Administration (101)

Admin

istratio

n (101

)

Ea

st W

ing

Sh

op

(102

)

Wes

t W

ing

Sh

op

(104

)

South Wing Shop (103)


Documents

Athens - Tennessee Board of Regents | Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology Master Plan: Athens Between 2010 and 2020, population in the region is expected grow more slowly than