Workforce & Education

Education is in our blood.

When famous World War I Sergeant Alvin York came home to Jamestown after the war, he had a vision for his county: to create opportunities for his fellow citizens through education. That vision has since become a reality through the area quality primary, secondary and higher education institutions in and around Fentress County and, most noteworthy, the Alvin C. York Institute.

Furthermore, the county also works with the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency. It provides skill assessment and targeted training to help businesses find and retain the workforce they need.

Area businesses, like Micro Metals, Inc., have in-house apprenticeship programs to train and retain workers. Several major colleges and institutions have plans to bring or expand campuses in Fentress County.

Tennessee’s innovative workforce partnerships and education reform are developing qualified candidates for skills in high demand. Tennessee is leading the way in education reform by increasing the number of Tennesseans with college degrees or certifications through the Tennessee Promise and TN Reconnect. As the only state in the country with these initiatives, Tennessee promises employers the support of highly skilled workers.

Schools & Education

Fentress County’s workforce gets its start through the quality education offered in its primary and secondary schools. The Fentress County school system is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and each school strives to maintain a small class size.

Postsecondary options include four nearby Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology and Roane State Community College. The county is currently working with multiple four-year institutions to expand their services in the area.