Northeast State Community College continues a multi-phase expansion of academic programs at the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM), RCAM Academy and RCAMCO facilities in Kingsport, strengthening its commitment to preparing students for high-demand technical careers in the region.
“The idea is to be responsible stewards of our space,” said Blake Montgomery, assistant vice president of Economic and Workforce Development at Northeast State. “Our apprenticeship program for machine tool is strong, with several regional partners working with us.”
The Northeast State at Kingsport campus includes three facilities of RCAM, the RCAM Academy, and RCAMCO. The first phase of the expansion involved expanding the machine shop laboratory in the RCAM Academy facility. This expansion accommodates apprenticeship and degree program training at RCAM Academy. The project relocated the welding “hot room” in the RCAM Academy into the RCAMCO facility. That move enabled 20 machines to migrate from the Northeast State at the Blountville campus to the RCAM Academy.
The expanded machining laboratory in the RCAM Academy added advanced milling and turning equipment, as well as instruction in computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and blueprint reading. The renovation project also creates a 400-square-foot classroom in the RCAM Academy building for apprentices and credit-seeking students.
“We were able to change the entire footprint of this building,” said Montgomery. “The process required mapping a floor plan to accommodate each machine in the new lab.
Approximately 1,683 students attended classes at RCAM during the 2024-25 academic year. Montgomery said the facilities’ expansions created multiple learning opportunities for students. The College connected the machining apprentice certificate program via a crosswalk of credit with the Academic Affairs.
“You can be participating in the machine tool apprenticeship program while earning hours toward a college degree,” said Montgomery. “If you work hard during the apprenticeship, a student can finish with his or her degree and the DOL certificate.”
This connection gives students two credentials verifying their expertise in precision machining and CNC operation and a college degree to meet the needs of employers across the region.
Acquired for use by the college in 2023, the 22,000-square-foot RCAMCO facility currently houses training for the forklift certificate program, teaching students nuances of product movement within industrial and commercial settings. The 2.5-acre property abuts the RCAM property.
Phases two and three involve significant upgrades inside the RCAMCO facility. The second phase involves developing RCAMCO’s carpentry lab to expand student training in residential and commercial framing, finishing, and construction safety.
The college currently trains apprentices and students in a carpentry laboratory at Tennessee High School in Bristol during the evening hours. Montgomery noted the carpentry lab would continue operating at Tennessee High after the carpentry space began running. Phase three includes building several new classroom spaces and establishing a robotics lab inside RCAMCO.
“It is a very usable space, open and accommodating as a teaching site,” said Montgomery. “We are moving RCAMCO into a traditional classroom and laboratory setting.”
Funding for expansion comes by way of the Northeast State Foundation and dollars from the federal GIVE 3.0 grant. Proceeds from the Give 3.0 grant also funded structural updates of wiring, HVAC, and equipment installation.
“We want to be diverse about how we expand with options for several academic programs as needed,” said Montgomery. “By expanding these programs, we’re supporting the local workforce and helping industry partners find the trained talent they need to grow.”
To learn more about the opportunities available to individuals and companies, visit the RCAM website at https://manufacturingfuture.net/.
Northeast State Community College continues a multi-phase expansion of academic programs at the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM), RCAM Academy and RCAMCO facilities in Kingsport, strengthening its commitment to preparing students for high-demand technical careers in the region.
“The idea is to be responsible stewards of our space,” said Blake Montgomery, assistant vice president of Economic and Workforce Development at Northeast State. “Our apprenticeship program for machine tool is strong, with several regional partners working with us.”
The Northeast State at Kingsport campus includes three facilities of RCAM, the RCAM Academy, and RCAMCO. The first phase of the expansion involved expanding the machine shop laboratory in the RCAM Academy facility. This expansion accommodates apprenticeship and degree program training at RCAM Academy. The project relocated the welding “hot room” in the RCAM Academy into the RCAMCO facility. That move enabled 20 machines to migrate from the Northeast State at the Blountville campus to the RCAM Academy.
The expanded machining laboratory in the RCAM Academy added advanced milling and turning equipment, as well as instruction in computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and blueprint reading. The renovation project also creates a 400-square-foot classroom in the RCAM Academy building for apprentices and credit-seeking students.
“We were able to change the entire footprint of this building,” said Montgomery. “The process required mapping a floor plan to accommodate each machine in the new lab.
Approximately 1,683 students attended classes at RCAM during the 2024-25 academic year. Montgomery said the facilities’ expansions created multiple learning opportunities for students. The College connected the machining apprentice certificate program via a crosswalk of credit with the Academic Affairs.
“You can be participating in the machine tool apprenticeship program while earning hours toward a college degree,” said Montgomery. “If you work hard during the apprenticeship, a student can finish with his or her degree and the DOL certificate.”
This connection gives students two credentials verifying their expertise in precision machining and CNC operation and a college degree to meet the needs of employers across the region.
Acquired for use by the college in 2023, the 22,000-square-foot RCAMCO facility currently houses training for the forklift certificate program, teaching students nuances of product movement within industrial and commercial settings. The 2.5-acre property abuts the RCAM property.
Phases two and three involve significant upgrades inside the RCAMCO facility. The second phase involves developing RCAMCO’s carpentry lab to expand student training in residential and commercial framing, finishing, and construction safety.
The college currently trains apprentices and students in a carpentry laboratory at Tennessee High School in Bristol during the evening hours. Montgomery noted the carpentry lab would continue operating at Tennessee High after the carpentry space began running. Phase three includes building several new classroom spaces and establishing a robotics lab inside RCAMCO.
“It is a very usable space, open and accommodating as a teaching site,” said Montgomery. “We are moving RCAMCO into a traditional classroom and laboratory setting.”
Funding for expansion comes by way of the Northeast State Foundation and dollars from the federal GIVE 3.0 grant. Proceeds from the Give 3.0 grant also funded structural updates of wiring, HVAC, and equipment installation.
“We want to be diverse about how we expand with options for several academic programs as needed,” said Montgomery. “By expanding these programs, we’re supporting the local workforce and helping industry partners find the trained talent they need to grow.”
To learn more about the opportunities available to individuals and companies, visit the RCAM website at https://manufacturingfuture.net/.
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