The Business and Community Services (BCS) mission is to support economic, workforce and community development by providing a wide range of services, training programs and cultural activities in response to community need.
Our courses provide practical skills and hands-on training for workforce development, professional career advancement and hobbyists who want to learn new skills. Our workforce development team also designs custom programs for specific company needs.
Most of the continuing education BCS offers is eligible toward continuing education unit (CEU) credits required for many licensed professions. Certificates of completion are awarded in certain areas. Many BCS courses also are eligible for continuing professional education (CPE) credits. There is no formal admission process to participate in a non-credit course offered through BCS. Fees for open non-credit courses are established based on elements like length and type of course, materials included and instructional costs.
Charges for other programs and services are determined on an individual basis.
Programs and Services
Personal Enrichment/Development Programs. Whether you want to start a new hobby, learn new skills to make a favorite pastime more fun or dabble in something you’ve always imagined you’d enjoy, BCS offers a wide variety of courses to meet diverse community needs.
Advanced Manufacturing Programs. BCS offers highly specialized advanced manufacturing programs to help companies manage the rapid changes and new realities of today’s workplace. BCS also has a wide array of CADD (computer-aided design and drafting) courses, is a FeatureCAM Training Center and has a number of courses in the area of computer-aided machining and manufacturing. Additional programs include programmable logic controllers, industrial automation, microelectrons, robotics and more. These programs may be offered on-site or at one of our five campus locations.
Business and Professional Development Programs. Courses include business and management, supervision, customer service, team building, conflict resolution and professional examination review, certification, relicensure, Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma, quality and productivity and environmental and safety.
Computer Training. BCS provides regularly-scheduled courses for beginners to advanced users who want to upgrade or develop new skills. These hands-on training courses focus on diverse computer applications and programming. Companies can request customized courses by contract. These programs may be offered on-site or at one of our five campus locations.
Customized Training. BCS develops and delivers customized training programs in response to specific training needs, including skills upgrades, apprenticeships, retraining and cross-training. We work routinely with business and industry experts to deliver high-impact training that will positively impact a company’s bottom line. Subject matter ranges from basic skills to supervisory and advanced technical skills. With experienced industrial training instructors, instructional designers and program coordinators on staff, BCS can provide needs assessment, program design and development, training, and facility and project coordination, in addition to instruction. These customized programs may be offered on-site or at one of our five campus locations.
Tennessee Small Business Development Center. Partially funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration and operating as part of the Tennessee Small Business Development Network, the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Pellissippi State provides consulting and other services to small business in order to promote growth, expansion, innovation, increased productivity and management improvement. TSBDC offices are located at the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership, Farragut/West Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Blount County Chamber of Commerce and Pellissippi State campuses. Please visit the TSBDC website for more information.
Facilities. The College offers state-of-the-art conference facilities and services to the community through BCS. Facilities include the 495-seat Clayton Performing Arts Center, auditoriums offering from 78 to 150 seats, a 40-seat Executive Seminar Room and a variety of other meeting and seminar rooms. Audiovisual equipment, technical support, food services and ample free parking also are provided.
Non-credit Course Admission
There is no formal admissions process for non-credit courses. Participants in non-credit courses must register and pay for classes in advance of the course start date. Students enrolled in non-credit classes must apply to the Pellissippi State Admissions office to be eligible to take college credit-bearing courses.
Non-credit Information and Policies
Three ways to register:
- Register on the BCS website.
- Call (865) 539-7167 to pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover.
- Visit BCS during office hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Hardin Valley Campus,
Room 108, Lamar Alexander Building to pay with check, cash or credit card.
Fees. All enrollment fees must be paid before the beginning of class. The fee amount for each class or course is stated in the BCS course schedule or online on the BCS website. Fees vary per class based on the type of course, instructor, materials and facilities costs. Unlike college credit-bearing courses, no tax dollars are used to support non-credit programs. Non-credit courses are sustained by participant or contract revenues only; therefore, class enrollment must meet the minimum number of participants required to cover expenses. State employee, senior citizen and disability fee waiver policies do not apply to non-credit programs. Pellissippi State employees are eligible to take some non-credit classes through a budget transfer process.
Closing Dates. The closing date for registration is two working days before the class start date unless otherwise stated. Register early: class space is limited and many classes fill before the closing date.
Cancellations/Postponements/Rescheduling. Classes may be canceled for lack of minimum enrollment. In the event a class is canceled by the College, an effort will be made to notify each student registered for the class using contact information provided at registration. If for any reason the instructor must postpone or reschedule a class session, the BCS office will attempt to notify the students. In all instances of postponement, the instructor is responsible for arranging makeup classes. Students who wish to reschedule classes must do so at least two days before the first class session; motorcycle courses must be rescheduled seven days prior to the start date of the enrolled class.
Holidays/Inclement Weather. Non-credit programs adhere to the College holiday schedule and inclement weather guidelines.
Refunds. A full refund will be given for classes canceled by the College. Refunds requested after course closing dates for ongoing courses will undergo a review process. Students may appeal a refund by submitting a written request outlining the basis for the appeal to the executive director of Business and Community Services.
Parking. Non-credit students can park on campus in any open parking area without charge.
Clayton Performing Arts Center
Pellissippi State’s Clayton Performing Arts Center was completed in 1995. Since its opening, the theatre has showcased regional, national and international performances. The Clayton Performing Arts Center seats 495 people and has state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Access for people with disabilities and free parking make the theatre enjoyable for anyone. If you would like additional information about the Clayton Performing Arts Center or are interested in renting any of the College’s facilities, please contact Business and Community Services at (865) 694-6665 or visit the BCS website.
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