September 16, 2016
By KRISTEN SWANN
Rutherford Works
Murfreesboro, Tenn. – The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce Development department recently hosted two field trips for middle and high school students to gain first-hand knowledge of what a career in construction might look like.
Beth Duffield, Vice President of Workforce Development at the Chamber, said, “The construction industry is one of Rutherford County’s fastest growing industry sectors and is a focus of the Chamber’s education and workforce development plan. The construction industry is expected to grow by 14% in the next 9 years and there is a shortage today of those with skilled trade experience. The Rutherford Works Construction Council has been working since late first quarter to develop a strong pathway of study for students entering Oakland High School to be able to obtain an industry certification(s) and dual enrollment credit with TCAT Shelbyville and also gain valuable work experience before graduating.”
As part of National Skilled Trades Week, Oakland Middle School students toured construction of the new Rutherford County judicial building with Bell Construction and Turner Construction and Oakland High School Students toured Puckett Station residential construction with Ole South Properties, Inc.
“We really appreciate Bell Construction/Turner Construction and Ole South Properties, Inc. for allowing us to bring students to their work sites. I believe there is no better classroom for a student than a field trip where they can actually see how what they’re learning is being applied. We spark the imagination of students when we give them the chance to participate in interactive learning,” said Duffield.
Kennedy Haigh, a 6th grader at Oakland Middle School, when asked about the experience at the judicial building, said, “I liked all of the information that Mr. John told us, and how well he answered our questions. I had no idea there was so much involved in building a building like that. I’m anxious to see it when it’s finished.”
Oakland High School students who are part of the Architecture and Construction Career and Technical Education Pathway visited Puckett Station to see residential construction in different phases.
Chris Russell, a junior at Oakland High School, said, “I have been in the construction pathway for three years to check out the field and see if this is something I’d like to do. I would recommend this pathway for anyone. It’s a good skill to have.”
Landon McDunnan, also a junior at Oakland High School, said, “My grandfather has always been a carpenter and he taught me a lot about carpentry work. I work for a fencing company that also flips houses. I like framing, so I want to be a framer and also be involved in the process of selling a house.”
When asked about the importance of exposing students to the construction industry, Trey Lewis, VP of Sales for Ole South Properties, Inc., said, “We have an obligation to show students entering the job market all of the possibilities in new home construction. There is a huge shortage of labor in the Middle Tennessee construction sector. We want to stay ahead of that, and training future workers is the best way to do that.”
For more information about career pathways and high-demand, high-wage sectors in Rutherford County, visit www.RutherfordWorks.com.