It’s a training ground for potential candidates in Knoxville, and the city is holding it earlier than usual this year, to make room for those who may choose to run for office this fall.

The City of Knoxville Leadership Academy will run from April 2nd through May 6th; it’s open to anyone wishing to find out more about how local government works. The six-week course covers all city departments, including administration, public safety, parks and recreation and the airport among others.

Heather Ussery is Assistant City Manager for Knoxville; she tells KNIA/KRLS News the city would like to eventually have had everyone on the City Council go through this course, to give them the background in city operations they would need.

“With this year being an election year, we thought it would be important to move it up earlier in the spring and allow those individuals that are possibly running this year to participate and complete the program prior to the time frame of taking out papers and actually running,” Ussery says.

“The fall can be a busy time for parents and students with extracurricular activities…we’ve heard it from a few individuals, they’ve wanted to run but just didn’t have the time. So possibly moving it up in the spring will allow those individuals to participate as well.”

Ussery says the Academy is by no means limited to political candidates; anyone with an interest in learning more about government is welcome to apply.

The class is limited to 15 participants, and applications are due by noon on Thursday, March 21st; application forms are available at City Hall during regular business hours, or on the city website.