Originally Published in the Knoxville News Sentinel
Randy Boyd, UT System president, is spot-on: higher education remains a powerful catalyst for opportunity and his vision for our state’s workforce is commendable. Investing in our people is critical to building a stronger Tennessee.
At the same time, it’s worth emphasizing that a four-year college degree isn’t the only path to a thriving career. While college is a great choice for many students, it’s just one of several rewarding pathways. In fact, seven out of 10 jobs require less than a four-year degree, yet for every five retiring tradespeople in our state, only two apprentices are in training to take their place.
With Tennessee projecting a need for over 315,000 skilled workers over the next three years, the demand for the trades has never been higher.
For thousands of Tennesseans – from recent high school graduates to adults seeking a fresh start – the skilled trades offer an equally rewarding, high-demand and high-wage career path.
Through registered apprenticeships and hands-on training programs, Tennesseans can earn while they learn, entering the workforce debt-free from day one. The skilled trades offer diverse, high-growth career pathways that empower individuals to master a craft, expand their leadership potential, and ultimately launch their own businesses, directly building the future of Tennessee.
President Boyd’s commitment to Tennessee’s students and workforce is inspiring. As we work together to strengthen our state’s economy, we’re grateful that Tennesseans have multiple paths to successful careers.
Justin Wilson is the volunteer President of the Board of Directors at Go Build Tennessee and the Executive Vice President & CCO of Wilson & Associates P.C., and a Franklin resident.