Skip To Main Content

Home

A group of young people, likely students, standing in front of a large industrial-style building with the word %22CORE%22 prominently displayed on the facade.
The image shows a person's hand in blue medical gloves holding a medical instrument, with a wheelchair visible in the background.
A person is working on a computer in a cluttered workspace filled with various tools and equipment.
The image shows a person in a blue uniform working on an electrical panel, with various components and wiring visible in the background.
A person is using a welding tool, creating a shower of bright sparks against a dark background.
A group of people, likely students or employees, standing in front of a large commercial building with a distinctive curved roof structure.
A person in a green work uniform is working on a piece of equipment in what appears to be a workshop or garage setting, with various tools and equipment visible in the background.
A person is operating a milling machine in a workshop setting, surrounded by various tools and equipment.

Quick Links

PIEces Of PIE

The Partnerships in Industry and Education (PIE) Innovation Center is a regional educational facility that addresses the growing need to better prepare students for postsecondary careers and workforce opportunities. This unprecedented, innovative center, the first of its kind in Tennessee, is located in the former American Uniform plant on Parker Street in Cleveland, TN. With business, industry, secondary and postsecondary educational opportunities, and nonprofit services under one roof, students are provided with the tools, education, and life skills needed to succeed.

A group of people, likely construction workers, posing together in front of a projection screen displaying a logo for a "Pie Center Construction Program".

The success of the PIE Innovation Center is driven by the invaluable partnerships between education, industry, and the community. Our partners play a vital role in shaping the future workforce by providing hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, and real-world opportunities for students. Through collaboration with local businesses, postsecondary institutions, and community organizations, the PIE Center is preparing the future generation with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s economy. The commitment of our partners is helping us grow students and build futures.

Find Out More about Partnerships
Two individuals, one wearing a plaid shirt and the other a checkered shirt, are engaged in an activity in a workshop-like setting with various tools and equipment visible in the background.

Bradley County Schools' newest Technology Center hosts our Dell Student Tech Crew program. The program was implemented in August 2021 and has grown exponentially in our secondary schools. As a result, our relationship with Dell Technologies has flourished, and they continue to support the Dell Student Tech program, offering students the opportunity to earn Dell Technician Certification.

Find Out More about Technology Center
A large, white semi-truck is parked in a spacious industrial garage with high ceilings, overhead lighting, and various equipment and tools visible in the background.

The Medium-Heavy Truck Technology Center at PIE is a 16,000 square ft. area able to accommodate four large trucks used for skill development and post-secondary credentialing. The center was designed in collaboration with McKee Foods, Covenant Transport, and TCAT Athens. The McKee family invited a team from Bradley County to visit their Gentry Arkansas location where they provide a Medium-Heavy Truck Technology Program to their local high school and postsecondary institution.

Find Out More about Medium Heavy Truck Technology
A large commercial building with a spacious parking lot surrounded by a hilly, forested landscape in the background.

Community at PIE is an engaging retail space for local businesses and industries to make money while providing Work-Based Learning opportunities and training.  This collaboration with Industry and Education creates a pipeline of ready workers and allows students to experience the workforce while in high school. The businesses that are located in Community at PIE are Boys and Girls Club, Southern Heritage Bank, Just Love Coffee, Mint Condition, Piedmont National, Peak Performance, Wright Brothers Construction, Sweet Emmaline's Cheesecakes,Farmers Insurance, Sculpt,  and Center For Sports Medicine.

Find Out More about Community
A large indoor basketball court with a wooden floor, colorful markings, and basketball hoops visible in the background.

Wacker Commons is a unique multi-use facility located in the PIE Innovation Center, providing an event center to the Cleveland and Bradley County Region.  This center will be utilized to hold academic competitions, college and career fairs, conferences, professional development training, social events, sporting events, graduations, theatrical events, concerts, and showcase opportunities for business and industry.

Find Out More about Wacker Commons
A modern, minimalist office space with a large green "Connect" sign on the wall and glass doors leading to another room.

The PIE Center creates an innovative student experience through collaboration with business, industry, and nonprofit organizations, transforming learning pathways by providing experiential learning in STEM, embedded work-based learning experiences, and promoting design thinking. Although designed to expand educational opportunities, the PIE Center also impacts the community’s prosperity and well-being by equipping this generation with the focus and purpose needed to pursue careers and postsecondary education.

Find Out More about Connect
A modern, angular building with a distinctive slanted roof and solar panels stands in the foreground, against a clear blue sky in the background.

The Compass at PIE is an educational training center and office complex housing Bradley County employees, providing students with college and career direction. Compass at PIE includes a training space that seats up to 200 attendees, with breakout areas accessible from the main space through mobile garage doors.

Find Out More about Compass
A modern brick building with a distinctive architectural design, featuring a prominent entrance and signage, set against a clear blue sky.

Career Residency, a 31,720 sq. ft. area within the PIE Center, provides students with a vision for their future, opportunities to learn actual work-related skills, and pre-apprenticeships for postsecondary careers or further education. Career Residency offers instruction in HVAC, plumbing, general construction, electrical, and more, enabling students to “jump-start” apprenticeship programs required in most trades. The youth pre-apprenticeship program links business and industry with high schools, postsecondary institutions, and registered apprenticeships to drive curriculum theory, experiential labs, and on-the-job work opportunities.

Find Out More about Career Residency
A modern, glass-fronted building with a large, cantilevered roof structure stands in the foreground, surrounded by a paved area and landscaping. In the background, there are trees and a clear blue sky.

Core at PIE is the centralized STEAM Training Center at the PIE Innovation Center. Core offers an expansion of current Career and Technical Education programs such as machining, welding, advanced mechatronics, advanced health sciences, and pre-nursing, along with audiovisual internship opportunities. In addition, Core, in collaboration with Cleveland State Community College, has developed a new program of study in Chemical Technology Engineering (Chem Tech). Students also have access to Training Dojos that provide instruction in quality assurance, OSHA compliance, and precision measurement.

Find Out More about Core

Mission & Vision

Mission:

Transforming education and workforce development through strategic partnerships with industry, education, and the community. By fostering collaboration, creativity, and hands-on learning, we are shaping the future- one student at a time.

Vision:

To empower students through innovative education, industry partnerships, and hands-on experiences to build a skilled workforce and a thriving community.

Upcoming Events

Calendar

Check out our upcoming events that we will be having here at the PIE Center!

We will be posting our Open Houses, Parent Teacher Conferences, Special Events, and more here throughout the year.

News & Announcements

PIE Partners

The image shows a smiling middle-aged man wearing a dark suit and glasses, with a plaid pattern in the background.

"The PIE Center is a game-changer for our region, providing students and adults alike with hands-on training and real-world skills that directly translate to career opportunities. This investment in workforce development strengthens our local economy and ensures we remain competitive for generations to come."

A smiling middle-aged man with a beard wearing a blue plaid suit jacket against a gray background.

"The PIE Center is a one-of-a-kind, community driven, innovative approach to helping high school students learn unique, in-demand skills that align with the employment opportunities available today and tomorrow in our local economy."

A smiling young woman with long brown hair stands in a garden setting, surrounded by lush greenery and flowers.

"UT Extension’s partnership with the PIE Center fosters our commitment to providing research-based solutions and educational programs in areas such as agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H youth development. By situating our office within the PIE Center, UT Extension collaborates with other educational institutions, businesses, and nonprofits to enhance workforce development and community engagement in Bradley County. ​"