This article originally appeared in the Greenville Sun.
Tennessee is on the rise. From vehicle manufacturing and advanced logistics to historic infrastructure investments, our state is leading the way in economic growth. But there’s a challenge behind the headlines: we have a shortage of skilled workers needed to keep up and meet the labor demand in the trades.
Latest statistics show that for every five skilled tradespeople retiring, only two new skilled tradespeople are entering the workforce. And, while Tennessee has the economic momentum, what we need now is the skilled workforce to match it with more than 315,000 job openings in the trades projected over the next three years.
Now the good news. This challenge presents a great opportunity for students looking for a career path and those currently in the workforce who are considering a career change.
Across Tennessee, employers are ready to hire from construction crews, electricians, plumbers, machinists and welders – which are all in high demand. That’s why our organizations Go Build Tennessee and the Tennessee Chamber are proud to work together – alongside statewide initiatives like Be Pro Be Proud Tennessee – to help build awareness, elevate the trades and connect more Tennesseans to meaningful, well-paying careers.
The modern skilled trades are hands-on, high-tech and mission critical. From robotics in welding to digital modeling in construction, skilled tradespeople are operating at the cutting edge of innovation. These are also some of the best jobs out there. They pay well, offer long-term security and have upward mobility.
Programs like Go Build Tennessee and Be Pro Be Proud Tennessee are helping change the perception of jobs in the trades by putting the experience directly into students’ hands. With a custom-built, hands-on mobile Be Pro Be Proud semi traveling across Tennessee, students get to see and try out careers in the trades, from commercial driving and carpentry to plumbing and advanced manufacturing. Exposure like this to careers in the trades is critical as it sparks curiosity and opens doors for students and career changers.
The path to a great career doesn’t have to start with years of debt. Through apprenticeships, ABC Tennessee’s Construction Trades Academy, AGC East Tennessee’s Construction Career Center and our state’s TCATs, workers can earn while they learn – collecting a paycheck from day one while gaining skills that are in high demand. These programs open doors not just to a job, but to a lasting career with upward mobility, job security and strong wages. And the best part? Most employers cover the cost of training, so instead of student loans, workers graduate with real-world experience, industry credentials and money in the bank.
Thanks to commitments from Governor Lee and our state legislators, Tennessee is doing more to promote the trades and pathways to success for students and career changers than ever before – expanding our career and technical education programs, promoting access to apprenticeships and investing in training infrastructure. When businesses, schools and state leaders align around workforce development, everybody wins.
Whether you’re a student still deciding on your future, a parent helping your child explore options or an adult considering a new career path, Tennessee’s skilled trades are waiting for you. Visit GoBuildTennessee.com to explore hands-on careers, training programs and real opportunities across the state and visit BeProBeProudTN.org for even more resources and to find out where our Mobile Workshop is coming next or to request a visit to your school or organization.
We’re proud to work together – industry, education and business – to ensure Tennessee continues to grow from the ground up.
Let’s go build Tennessee, together.
Nick Lawrence is vice president of The Christman Company and volunteer board president of the nonprofit Go Build Tennessee. Josh Brown is president & CEO of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry.