A new initiative launched in Tennessee aimed to address misperceptions of the skill-based and construction industry through education.
Governor Bill Haslam was at the State Capitol with leaders in the Construction Industry announced the new Go Build Tennessee initiative Tuesday.
Its goal was to change misperceptions about the industry, and let people know about the labor shortage and opportunities in construction craft trades.
In Tennessee, the average age of a construction worker is over 50 years old, and for every five workers who leave the industry, only one replaces them.
Construction industry labor shortages, often referred to as a “skills gap,” were compounded by the national recession beginning around 2007.
Officials said without action to attract future tradesmen to the construction industry, the country could face problems in building and maintaining infrastructure.
“Tennessee is often ranked among the best for economic development and business climate. To remain competitive we need to prepare our citizens to meet workforce demands, including the demands in the construction industry. Go Build Tennessee will encourage young people to consider careers in the skilled trades and inform the next generation of workers about career opportunities and training programs available to them,” Haslam said.
Go Build Tennessee was launched online. To visit the site, click here.
