From Student to Skilled Professional
In January 2026, Jordan Smith walked into TCAT Murfreesboro as a student. A few months later, he walked back in as an industry speaker.
Jordan enrolled in the Lennar Foundation-sponsored skilled trades program at TCAT Murfreesboro in January 2026 and completed his training in March. By the final week of class, he was already fielding a job offer.
A Hiring Event Opens the Door
That opportunity came through a hiring event organized by Building Talent Foundation Engagement Manager Nic Stuebben, who works to close the gap between graduates and the employers who need them.
At the event, Jordan connected with representatives from Strada Services and was offered a position as a Quality Assurance Technician, earning $20.50 per hour. In that role, he serves as an essential checkpoint in the residential construction process, reviewing rough-in work completed by subcontractors and helping ensure quality standards are met before each build moves forward.
Returning as the Proof Point
A few months into his new career, Jordan did something remarkable. He went back.
He returned to TCAT Murfreesboro not as a student, but as a guest speaker and industry representative for Strada Services. Standing in front of the current Lennar Foundation cohort, he spoke honestly about what the program meant for him, what the job looks like day to day, and why soft skills, professionalism, and showing up fully for opportunities like hiring events can matter just as much as technical training.
He was, in every sense, the proof of concept his audience needed to see.
A Path His Brother Could See
Jordan’s message did not stop at the classroom door.
Watching his older brother succeed inspired Jordan’s younger brother, Anthony, to enroll in the same program. Today, Anthony is a current student in the Lennar Foundation class at TCAT Murfreesboro, following a path his brother helped make visible.
What Partnership Makes Possible
Stories like Jordan’s do not happen by accident.
They are the result of what becomes possible when education, philanthropy, and industry align around a shared purpose: the Lennar Foundation investing in program access and infrastructure; TCAT Murfreesboro delivering rigorous, career-ready technical training; Building Talent Foundation connecting graduates to real employment opportunities; and companies like Strada Services opening their doors to emerging talent.
Within months of completing his program, Jordan Smith went from student to skilled professional to role model, and brought his family with him.
That is the kind of return on investment that does not just change a career. It changes a community.