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ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OCCUPATIONS

Quick Takeaways

Demand: Several occupations in this group are in-demand statewide, including in residential, commercial, and industrial construction. Construction managers and cost estimators typically require four-year degrees, while most other occupations in this group acquire skills through a two-year degree, postsecondary certificate, apprenticeship, or on-the-job training. Construction workers in-demand in most areas of the state include: construction supervisors, electricians, carpenters, operating engineers, painters, plumbers, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) personnel. Supply: The bachelor’s program in construction management had the highest share of graduates (of programs with 10 or more completers) found in the Tennessee job market (63 percent), with first-year wages of $57,569. Less than one year certificate programs in plumbing place 60 percent of graduates in the Tennessee job market. Several high school CTE programs in this cluster have employment rates of 50 percent. In 2020-21, 32 electricians and 527 production machinery electricians completed apprenticeships. Unmet Needs: Due to high regional demand and few training options, programs in basic skills for carpenters, operating engineers, painters, plumbers, and cost estimators are needed.

Occupations in architecture and construction need skilled workers that design, plan, manage, build, and maintain structures. Construction workers are highly sought after, as construction of new homes and buildings seeks to keep up with demand from population growth in Tennessee. Future construction employment growth will also be driven by large construction projects. Tennessee’s position as a top state to do business has generated economic development successes, which in turn create jobs in architecture and construction. Among Tennessee’s recent successes are Ford Motor Company’s plans to build an electric vehicle and battery manufacturing plant at the Memphis Regional Megasite in West Tennessee.35

Several occupations in this group are in-demand statewide, and skilled workers are needed in every region or nearly every region across the state. Construction managers, cost estimators, and interior designers typically require four-year degrees, while most other occupations in this group acquire skills through a two-year degree, postsecondary certificate, apprenticeship, or on-the-job training.

Many of the in-demand occupations in the construction trades are tied to residential and commercial construction. The need to build new housing stock across the state requires skilled tradespeople to fill that workforce. This includes construction managers, carpenters, cement masons and concrete finishers, construction laborers, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, painters, plumbers, roofers and heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.

Cost estimators are employed in a variety of construction industries. Every region in Tennessee has a lower concentration of cost estimators than the national average. Supply chain issues, increased demand for products, and inflation since the onset of the pandemic has increased the present need for cost estimators in the state.

Electricians are in-demand across Tennessee and are key to several TNECD industry sectors including the automotive and the electrical equipment and appliance sectors. Within the automotive sector, Tennessee is developing as a leader in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Electricians will be a key component to the adoption of electric vehicles in our state.36 In September 2022, the State of Tennessee’s TEVI (Tennessee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) Plan was approved by the Federal Highway Administration. Prior to the NEVI (National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) Program, Tennessee had already started to establish a statewide EV infrastructure.37

35 Office of the Governor, Press Release

36 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Electricians install charging stations and any other equipment needed for electric vehicles. They attach the charging stations to lines that have been installed by electrical power-line installers and ensure the chargers are working properly. When there is a problem with the charger, electricians are called to make necessary repairs.” - Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Careers in Electric Vehicles (https://www.bls.gov/green/electric_vehicles/)).

37 Tennessee Department of Transportation, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan

Three public universities offer bachelor’s degree in construction management. University of Tennessee, Martin (UTM) recently established a construction management program (starting fall 2022) designed for STEM students who may be interested in construction-related work. The program includes training on projectmanagement, leading graduates to possible careers as Project Managers, General Contractors, and other construction professions.38 University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) and MTSU also offer this program. The Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), the state’s leading providers of training in the architecture and construction fields, offer programs in plumbing; electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); and engineering—all ranging in complexity and program length, but typically in one to twoyear programs with increasing levels of experience within specialized fields. With high regional demand, more training opportunities for carpenters, operating engineers, painters, plumbers, and cost estimators are needed.

With funding from GIVE 2.0, TCAT Northwest launched their Building Construction Technology program across six counties in West Tennessee. This program utilizes dual enrollment facilities on high school campuses to streamline the transition from secondary to postsecondary institutions and equips students with the required skills and training to be proficient in the areas of carpentry, residential electrical wiring, residential plumbing, and block and brick laying.

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