Walters State Leads Tennessee Community Colleges in Workforce Training

From specific industry needs to helping companies strengthen their existing workforce, training can take many forms.

Walters State Community College delivered more non-credit workforce training hours than any other community college in Tennessee during the 2025-26 academic year, according to new data presented to the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Walters State provided 276,838 contact hours of workforce training during the year.

The distinction comes as workforce training continues to grow across Tennessee's community colleges. Collectively, the state's 13 community colleges delivered more than 1.4 million contact hours of non-credit workforce training in 2025-26, a 5.1% increase from the previous year.

For Walters State, that training can take many forms, from customized instruction developed for individual employers to courses and programs that help workers build new skills, earn industry credentials, and prepare for changing workforce needs.

“Workforce training is really about meeting employers and employees where they are,” said Dr. Kim Bolton, vice president of workforce and economic development training and dean of the Claiborne County Campus. “Our team works directly with businesses and industries to understand what they need and then develops training that responds to those needs. These numbers reflect a tremendous amount of work by our faculty and staff, but more importantly, they represent people across East Tennessee gaining skills that can help them grow in their careers and help their employers succeed.”

What This Means for East Tennessee

“Walters State's role in workforce development extends far beyond our campuses,” said Dr. Saul Reyes, president of Walters State. “Whether we are preparing a student for a first career or helping an experienced employee develop new skills, our responsibility is to make sure East Tennessee has the talent it needs to grow. These results are a credit to our faculty and staff and to the employers throughout our region who continue to partner with us.”

For employers, Walters State's Workforce Training team can develop training around specific business and industry needs, helping companies strengthen the skills of their existing workforce and prepare employees for new responsibilities.

For individuals, the division offers short-term, non-credit training designed to help participants build skills for their current jobs or prepare for new career opportunities. Options include professional and technical training, allied health programs, online courses, and certificate programs that can be completed in less than six months. 

Employers or individuals interested in learning more can contact Walters State Workforce Training at 423-585-2675 or workforceinfoFREEWS.

Walters State's Division of Workforce Training offers non-credit courses, customized training, professional development, industry certifications, and other workforce services for individuals and employers throughout the college's service area.