ABC President Tennessean op-ed: Cones and cranes mean new jobs, healthy economy and opportunity

If you’ve spent any amount of time in downtown Nashville, chances are good that your path has crossed a busy construction site. While the noise, traffic and delays from these major jobs can be understandably frustrating, it’s important to remember what the cones and cranes that we see everyday symbolize—jobs, economic growth and a stronger Nashville.  This year, the greater Nashville area was ranked as the strongest metropolitan area economy in the U.S. in POLICOM’s annual community "economic strength" rankings. In a recent Engineering News-Record article, Tennessee State Data Center Director Tim Kuhn highlighted the recent population boom in Tennessee. “Nearly two-thirds of the state’s population increase is driven by residents moving from other states, including almost 40,000 people who moved to Tennessee from surrounding states in the past year,” said Kuhn. “Tennessee has a strong economy and a favorable climate. We ... Read the rest of entry »

ENR: Gearing up for continued growth

“Construction is still booming in Tennessee,” says Clay Crownover, president and CEO of ABC- Greater Tennessee chapter. But as with most other regions of the country, finding qualified construction professionals to fill the boots can be daunting.

Read more at ENR...

Construction Job Growth Steady in June, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, July 5 – The construction industry added 21,000 net new jobs in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, employment in the industry has expanded by 224,000 jobs, representing an increase of 3.1%. Nonresidential construction employment gained 14,900 net jobs in June and is up 146,700 jobs during the last 12 months.   All major segments of nonresidential construction added jobs in June, with the bulk of job growth in the nonresidential specialty trade contractor segment, which added 11,900 net new positions. The construction unemployment rate stood at 4% in June, down 0.7% from the same time last year, and unemployment across all industries was 3.7%, slightly higher than 3.6% in May. “Today’s employment numbers indicate the economy is not slowing nearly as quickly as data suggested earlier this year, which is promising news for contractors,&r ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Greater Tennessee Craft Training Program graduates 54

Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Tennessee Craft Training program graduates 54 NASHVILLE, TENN., June 10, 2019 – The Associated Builders and Contractors of Tennessee (ABC-Greater Tennessee) is pleased to announce that its Craft Training Program has successfully graduated 54 students for the 2018-2019 school year. “Thursday was one of the most important events that we at ABC- Greater Tennessee hold each year,” said ABC- Greater Tennessee President/CEO Clay Crownover. “It’s important because it highlights the accomplishments of our school and our students and the extra effort they have made to furthering themselves and our industry.” ABC- Greater Tennessee is a leader in continuing education for the construction industry, as well as apprenticeship and craft training for merit shop contractors in the state. ABC- Greater Tennessee delivers programs that equip craft professionals with the knowledge and the skills they need to improve their productivity and sa ... Read the rest of entry »

Tennessee construction unemployment hits record mark for January 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Estimated January not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates dropped in 48 states -- including Tennessee -- on a year-over-year basis, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. As the January 2019 national NSA construction unemployment rate fell 0.9 percent from a year ago to 6.4 percent, the construction industry employed 343,000 more workers nationally compared to January 2018, according to BLS numbers. In Tennessee, the NSA construction unemployment rate for January was 4.8 percent, a decrease of 1.6 percent from January 2018’s rate of 6.4 percent. Tennessee's 4.8 percent 3.7 percent lower than the 8.7 percent mark in January 2017 and the lowest state rate on record for January. Tennessee also compares favorably to neighboring states, such as Alabama (5.8), Georgia (6.0), Kentucky (10.1), Mississippi (9.6), South Carolina (4.7) and North Carolina (5.4).  The lowest state rate i ... Read the rest of entry »

Tennessee faces worker shortage

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (NEXSTAR) - There's a troubling flip side to Tennessee's record low unemployment - a worker shortage. State lawmakers are hearing about it from companies and businesses in their districts.

"We desperately need workers in Tennessee, not just in manufacturing and construction, but across the board in hospitality," said Toby Compton with Associated Builders and Contractors.

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Demand for Skilled Labor Creates Opening for EdTech Leaders

Roughly 20.5 million students attended American colleges and universities in the fall of 2016, marking an annual increase of about 5.2 million since 2000. This surge, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics1, comes alongside seemingly endless escalations of tuition expenses and a mounting student loan debt crisis2, which Forbes notes is now the second-highest consumer debt category. Between 2011-2012 and 2016-2017, published tuition and fee prices rose by roughly nine percent in the public four-year sector and 13 percent at private nonprofit four-year institutions, according to The College Board3. ProBility Media Corp. (OTC: PBYA) (PBYA Profile) is providing an alternative to the expenses of traditional colleges with a selection of career training and advancement programs aimed at capitalizing on rising demand for skilled workers. Along with competitors such as IHS Markit Ltd. (NASDAQ: INFO), TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE: TBI), GP Strategies Corp.  ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC in Knoxville serves on panel to delay Health Insurance Tax

Crownover (ABC- Greater Tennessee, Knoxville) participates in Knoxville Chamber Roundtable Knoxville, TN (August 30, 2017) – Local business leaders met Wednesday at the Knoxville Chamber to discuss how the health insurance tax, or HIT, will impact Tennessee small businesses in 2018 if it is not delayed immediately by Congress. Business leaders called on the state’s senators and representatives in Congress to lower premiums and provide financial relief to the state by ensuring that the HIT does not go into effect in 2018.  “Time is of the essence to delay this tax again,” said Terry Turner, President of the Knoxville Chamber and small business owner of All Occasions Party Rental. “We are all making insurance decisions in the next few weeks for next year and we need certainty from the federal government.” The discussion occurred one week ahead of hearings scheduled by Tennessee’s Senator Lamar Alexander on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education ... Read the rest of entry »

Governor Haslam, State Rep. Eddie Smith and ABC of Greater TN join ABC to highlight Careers in Construction Month

Knoxville, Tenn., October 14- ABC of Greater Tennessee, Governor Haslam, and State Representative Eddie Smith joined together today to highlight Careers in Construction Month. "The Construction trade industry nationwide is facing about a 1.1 million shortage of the workforce," said State Representative Eddie Smith, "so today we are here to highlight some of the things happening in Knoxville. The construction trades industry needs your help." Construction has provided fulfilling, family-supporting careers for American workers for generations. However, industry growth, an aging workforce and a lack of emphasis on the lucrative construction career track in our schools has contributed to a shortage of skilled workers in the industry. This shortage is projected to reach 1.1 million skilled workers over the next decade, according to the Construction Labor Market Analyzer. That's why ABC of Greater Tennessee has committed over the next year to work with our area schools on promoting the trades within our lo ... Read the rest of entry »

Governor Haslam proclaims October Careers in Construction Month

Thank you to Governor Haslam for proclaiming October as Careers in Construction Month in the State of Tennessee #ABCMeritShopProud

You can view the proclomation at this link.