‘There’s plenty of open positions’ | Knox County mayor speaks on pathways into trade careers

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs sat down with WVLT News Thursday to talk about opportunities for students and those in the workforce to expand their career options.

In 2021, the county announced the Skilled Trades Academy and Regional Training (START) Center as a place for students and Knox County residents to learn more about trade careers and even qualify for certification.

“The START Center stands were Skilltrace Academy Regional Training Center used to be, and it’s a place where those who are already in the workforce in the skilled trades — masonry, plumbing, electrical, those things — they can go and get their apprenticeship offers and eventually get their journey certification,” Jacobs said.

Those certifications can be a huge help to trades workers, Jacobs said.

“We’re also working with TCAT, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, so they have a presence there. As well as Knox County Schools, and it’s really an effort to increase our CT offerings here in the county,” Jacobs said. “So folks who want to pursue opportunities and a career in the skill trades have the skills to do that.”

It’s part of a larger effort to expand the workforce in Knox County. Jacobs said the lack of trades workers can have a ripple effect on everyone.

The lack of workforce out there, especially among the skilled trades, of course what we see in that is higher prices with everything,” Jacobs said. “So it’s a great opportunity for the folks that want to get into those careers, because there’s plenty of open positions and nothing but blue sky.”

The START Center is run by Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Tennessee.