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March 01, 2012 | Tom Ballard

Dr. Jill Biden, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis briefed on Roane State partnerships with industry

Dr. Jill Biden, Second Lady of the United States, and United States Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis participated in a discussion about Roane State’s successful industry partnerships during a visit last week to the Tennessee Technology Center in Harriman. This facility provides hands-on training for students in Roane State’s Advanced Materials Training and Education Center (AMTEC) program. During the visit, Dr. Biden said community colleges such as Roane State cannot only change lives, “they can change our country.” Secretary Solis added, “You all are living proof that it (partnerships between community colleges and industry) works.”

Roane State’s programs in workforce development and job creation will be highlighted by teknovation.biz in a four-part series in the near future.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Photos provided by Owen Driskill of Roane State Community College.)

Roane State AMTEC trainee John Thornton, left, discusses his interest in the carbon fiber industry with U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Dr. Jill Biden, Second Lady of the United States. Brandon Peters (right), a machinist at B&W Y-12, discussed how a partnership between Roane State and Y-12 is helping him earn his degree.
Adam Dalton, a Tennessee Technology Center instructor, and AMTEC trainee Cheryl Stierwalt talk with Dr. Biden and Secretary Solis.
Dr. Biden shares a lighter moment with Brandon Peters and AMTEC graduate Mark Vanwitzenburg (right).



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