Tennessee Rehabilitation Center Celebrates New Graduates and Accomplishments

TRC Smyrna holds graduation ceremony to honor student success in vocational training

NASHVILLE – Today, more than 50 newly trained and skilled students embarked on the next phase in their lives after graduating from vocational rehabilitation programs at the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center at Smyrna. These students – whose disabilities include traumatic brain injury, cognitive impairments and blindness – have received workplace and life management skills to enhance their chosen occupational paths.

Sharon Baker, Branch Manager with White Staffing Management delivered the commencement address. A student speaker and graduate Stephen Heisler shared the podium during the graduation program which took place in the center’s gymnasium. Stephen encouraged fellow graduates to hold fast to their career aspirations and to never let negative perceptions be a barrier to their success. Stephen is a graduate of the Auto Detail/Auto Lubrication Program and currently works for a car dealership in Clinton.

Today’s graduates participated in various programs including Auto Detail/Auto Lubrication, Business Education, Commercial Cleaning, Food Service, Retail, Warehouse, Employment Readiness, Physical Rehabilitation Services, Traumatic Brain Injury and Vision Impairment Services. Many graduates have found employment in their local community, or are proceeding with plans for additional training and job preparation.

The Tennessee Rehabilitation Center, one of only eight centers in the nation, is a state operated comprehensive rehabilitation facility. TRC provided vocational rehabilitation services to nearly 600 students in FY 2015 and has a graduation rate of 93 percent. Since opening its doors in 1977, the TRC has provided life and job skills trainings to approximately 34,000 Tennesseans living with disabilities.

Services are provided on campus and the majority of students live in residential units on the campus while receiving services. The TRC is located at 460 9th Avenue in Smyrna, just east of the Smyrna Airport near Sam Ridley Parkway. For more information on the center, please visit http://www.tn.gov/humanservices/topic/trc-smyrna or call (615) 459-6811.

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Contact: Devin Stone

Office: 615-313-5786