ORNL partners with Roane State in new career training program in project management

The Oak Ridger
·2 min read

Roane State Community College and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have announced a new partnership aimed at building a strong workforce and providing educational opportunities for students interested in careers in project management and project controls.

In June, representatives from both organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the new Project Management Program offered at RSCC. The first of four courses − Project Management Fundamentals I − will be offered in fall 2024 followed by Project Management Fundamentals II in spring 2025.

These two courses will provide students with a solid foundation of both traditional and contemporary project management concepts while also preparing them for the Certified Associate in Project Management exam, a news release said.

The courses are part of the Tennessee Transfer Pathway, which allows students to transfer coursework into a four-year degree program.

The courses will be developed by ORNL’s Gregory Capps, who directed the lab’s Project Management Office for more than a decade and now helps with workforce development. Capps and other adjunct instructors will teach the courses.

“We are always exploring new ways to meet the needs of our students, business partners and communities,” RSCC President Chris Whaley said in the news release. “Project management skills are instrumental for the important work being done within our service area. We are thrilled to be able to work with ORNL to develop such an innovative program.”

In addition to providing learning opportunities for students, this partnership will allow ORNL to tap into a pool of talented and motivated individuals who can help support the innovative research at the lab.

"Whether it's a new instrument to produce breakthroughs in materials research or a new facility to advance the potential of fusion energy, we are charged with delivering significant projects for the nation," ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer said. "This partnership will help ensure we have the necessary workforce to continue doing that for years to come."

For more information on the Project Management Program, contact Gregory Capps at cappsgl@roanestate.edu or (865) 354-3000, ext. 2255.

ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer, right, and Roane State Community College President Chris Whaley sign a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a project management and project controls program at RSCC.
ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer, right, and Roane State Community College President Chris Whaley sign a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a project management and project controls program at RSCC.
ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer speaks about the importance of project management and project controls skills at ORNL.
ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer speaks about the importance of project management and project controls skills at ORNL.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: ORNL partners with Roane State in new management training program