Old Mary Ann Garber School being transformed into Vocational School
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn (WDEF) – A new one of a kind school is in the works for Hamilton County Schools.
The plan consists of refurbishing the old Mary Ann Garber School and turning it into a vocational school to help students be better prepared for the future workforce.”
The old Mary Ann Garber School on Roanoke street has been unoccupied for several years now but soon will be a fully functioning trade school for Hamilton County Students.
“In the beginning we are going to start with 11th and 12th graders. There will be an opportunity for dual enrollment with Chattanooga State. There will also be some adults that are out of high school and can go back for vocational learning because there will be a number of different trades that are involved there,” says Mayor Jim Coppinger, Hamilton County.
The school plans to utilize both educators and contractors to help students not only achieve academic success but also workforce readiness.
“The Association of General Contractors are providing people who are experts in the field. They won’t be learning skills that they won’t be using. They won’t learn things that are antiquated. They will be learning things that are current. Young people can go and go immediately into the job market. They can have good competitive salary, benefits,” says Dr. Steve Highlander, County Commissioner.
Students will be able to receive training in a multitude of trades such as: HVAC, Welding, Masonry, carpentry, electrical and more.
“It gives the student the opportunity to know what’s going on on a job site, to be trained for what to expect on a job site, to also serve as an intern on a job sites while they are doing that in preparation for day 1 when they graduate to be able to go out and be productive,” says Mayor Coppinger.
The school is expected to cost around $8 million and is being funded by both private and public partnerships.
The vocational school is set to open in August of 2022 and plans on guaranteeing participating students a workforce job by the time they graduate.
