Cat Financial, Nashville State Celebrate Graduation of Third Apprenticeship Cohort

Nashville State Community College and Caterpillar Financial Services (Cat Financial) celebrated the graduation of IT apprentices and May 2026 Nashville State graduates Richard DeBusk and Jordan Moores.

Cat Financial hosted a graduation ceremony to celebrate the completion of the apprenticeship program’s third cohort. This marks the third Cat Financial apprenticeship cohort to transition into full-time roles.

Since launching the apprenticeship program in 2023, Nashville State and Cat Financial have graduated three cohorts, creating a direct classroom-to-career pathway and strengthening the workforce pipeline for the region.

Supported by ApprenticeshipTN and developed in partnership with Nashville State's Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education, the Cat Financial and Caterpillar Inc. apprenticeship programs enable students to earn their A.A.S. degrees while completing thousands of hours of paid, hands-on training that builds critical technical and professional skills.

“With Nashville State’s instruction, Cat Financial’s mentorship, and the apprentices’ dedication and talent, this program delivers meaningful outcomes for everyone involved. Students gain valuable experience, credentials, and career opportunities; employers develop highly skilled talent aligned to their workforce needs; and our industry benefits from a stronger, more prepared pipeline of technology professionals,” said Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, president of Nashville State.

Cat Financial and Caterpillar Inc. representatives will visit the White Bridge campus in late October to meet with computer information technology students who could become members of the program’s fifth cohort.

The fourth Cat Financial cohort, consisting of networking student Bronson Smith and cyber defense student Henry Whitty, is expected to graduate from Nashville State in May 2027 and complete their apprenticeships in September 2027. The first Caterpillar Inc. apprentice, cyber defense student Hindi Ahmed, began the program in early 2026. She is expected to complete her apprenticeship in January 2027.