The Workforce and Community Development (WCD) 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 training programs for specific company needs.
Most of the continuing education WCD offers is eligible toward continuing education unit (CEU) credits required for many licensed professions. Certificates of completion are awarded in specific areas. Many WCD courses also are eligible for continuing professional education (CPE) credits. There is no formal admission process to participate in a noncredit course offered through WCD. Fees for open noncredit courses are established based on factors such as 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
Lifelong Learning Programs. Whether you want to start a new hobby, learn new skills to make a favorite pastime more fun or try something you’ve always imagined you’d enjoy, Workforce and Community Development (WCD) offers a wide variety of courses to meet diverse community needs.
Advanced Manufacturing Programs. WCD offers specialized advanced manufacturing programs that aim to assist companies in adapting to changing workplace environments. These programs cover a wide range of topics such as computer-aided design, computer-aided machining, programmable logic controllers, industrial automation technology, microelectronics, robotics, and more. Depending on the equipment requirements, these programs can be conducted either on-site at your facility or at any of Pellissippi State’s four campus locations. The ultimate goal is to equip companies with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today’s dynamic manufacturing industry.
Business and Professional Development Programs. Course topics include business and management, leadership and supervision, project management, customer service, team building, conflict resolution, professional examination review, certification, re-licensure, Excel, LEAN manufacturing and Six Sigma, quality and productivity, and environmental and safety along with many other topics.
Computer Training. WCD provides 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 four campus locations.
Customized Training. WCD develops and delivers customized training programs in response to specific customer needs, including:
- Skills and needs assessments
- Instructional design
- Cross-training
- Technical skills training
- Supervisory and leadership training
- Apprenticeship program development
- And more!
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 training instructors, instructional designers and program coordinators on staff, we 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 four campus locations.
Tennessee Small Business Development Center. The Tennessee Small Business Development Center Network (TSBDC) is grant funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and match funded by Pellissippi State. The TSBDC at Pellissippi State is one of the 15 Tennessee Small Business Development Centers in the network. The TSBDC at Pellissippi State provides high-quality consulting and training solutions to local entrepreneurs and small business owners to start, grow and sustain their businesses through confidential counseling, in-person training classes, and on-demand and virtual opportunities. The TSBDC offices are located at the Knoxville Area Chamber Commerce. In addition, the TSBDC has partner relationships where they offer classes and meet clients at the Farragut/West Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Blount County Partnership Chamber of Commerce, Cocke County Chamber of Commerce, and the Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce. Please visit the TSBDC website for more information, www.tsbdc.org.
Facilities. The College offers state-of-the-art conference facilities and event services to the community. Facilities include the 477-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 and ample free parking also are provided. For more information, visit the WCD website.
Noncredit Course Admission
There is no formal admissions process for noncredit courses. Participants in noncredit courses must register and pay for classes in advance of the course start date. Students enrolled in noncredit classes must apply to the Pellissippi State Admissions office to be eligible to take college credit-bearing courses.
Noncredit Information and Policies
Ways to register:
- Register and pay online on the WCD website.
- Call 865-539-7167 to register by phone. Our office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Admission requirements. Noncredit courses are exempt from the traditional college admission process. Enrollment fees are due at the time of registration.
Fees. All enrollment fees must be paid before the beginning of class. The fee amount for each class or course is stated in the WCD course schedule or online on the WCD website. Fees vary per class based on the type of course, instructor, materials and facilities costs and are subject to change without notice. Some courses require materials fees paid to the instructor on the first day of class. State employee, senior citizen and disability fee waiver policies do not apply to noncredit programs. Pellissippi State employees are eligible to take some specific noncredit classes through a budget transfer process.
Books & Supplies. If a course requires instructional supplies, those materials are included in the course fee unless otherwise noted. Material fees payable to the instructor are noted; these fees typically cover costs instructors incur for course-specific supplies. Instructor material fees are due at the first class session.
Registration 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 popular classes fill before the closing date. Early registration will ensure enrollment.
Maximum & Minimum Enrollments. Unlike college credit-bearing courses, no tax dollars are used to support noncredit programs. Noncredit courses are sustained by participant or contract revenues only; therefore, class enrollment must meet the minimum number of participants required to cover expenses. Courses may be canceled for lack of minimum enrollment. Students will receive a full refund for courses canceled due to low enrollment. Popular courses may fill before the closing date; students may register early with payment to hold a seat.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The CEU is a nationally recognized measure of education and training and is defined as 10 hours of participation in an organized continuing education adult or extension experience under reasonable sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction. For a transcript showing CEUs awarded to you for successfully completing CEU-eligible noncredit courses, contact Workforce and Community Development at 865-539-7167.
Certificates. Upon satisfactory completion of CEU classes, students may be awarded certificates in recognition of their achievement. The cost of the initial certificate is included in the course fee. For duplicate certificates, a fee of $5 will be charged to cover administrative costs.
Class Cancellation/Postponement. 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, WCD 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, and parenting seminars must be rescheduled two business days prior to the start date of each class. Please see Refunds for additional information.
Holidays/Inclement Weather. Noncredit programs adhere to the College holiday schedule and inclement weather guidelines. Closings and delays will be announced on the College’s homepage, Facebook and Twitter accounts and through Pellissippi Alerts text and email messages. The College will also notify local radio and television stations. Students should consult one of these outlets for the latest updates.
Refunds. A full refund will be given for classes canceled by the College. If you are unable to attend a course, please contact us by phone two days prior to the beginning of class, unless otherwise noted, to receive a refund. 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 Workforce and Community Development.
- Motorcycle Safety Refund Policy. Cancellations or rescheduling should be completed at least seven days prior to the start date of the enrolled class. Cancellations within the seven-day period will forfeit tuition, and reschedules will incur an additional charge.
- Parenting & Divorce Seminar Refund Policy. Notification of a desire to reschedule or cancel this course must be made at least two business days prior to the start date of each class. No shows must pay the full registration fee again to re-enroll in the class.
Parking. Noncredit students can park on campus in any open parking area without charge. These areas are identified with “O” parking lots signage.
Clayton Performing Arts Center
Pellissippi State’s Clayton Performing Arts Center was completed in 1995 and renovated in 2023. Since its opening, the theatre has showcased regional, national and international performances. The Clayton Performing Arts Center seats 477 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 Workforce and Community Development at 865-694-6665.
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