Construction workers pose for photo.

Tennessee Building & Construction Institute

Ensuring the construction industry has qualified workers at all levels to meet current and future workforce needs.

We work to accomplish this mission through: providing quality education and training, strategically linking education and training pathways to benefit both workers and employers, promoting careers in the construction industry to the region, tracking construction industry trends to keep education and training on the cutting edge.

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Education & Training Partners

TNBCI Education and Training Partners work collaboratively with industry to provide the academic and technical training necessary for students to be competitive in the construction job market.

Careers

Photo of a Solar Photovoltaic Installer.

Solar Photovoltaic Installer

Description: Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers, often called PV installers, assemble, install, or maintain solar panel systems on roofs or other structures.

Career Pathway

Chattanooga State, AAS Solar Engineering Technology

Median Hourly Wage: $18.19 | Occupational Outlook Handbook

Photo of survey mapper.

Surveying and Mapping Technician

Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth’s surface. Surveying technicians visit sites to take measurements of the land. Mapping technicians use geographic data to create maps. They assist surveyors, cartographers, and photogrammetrists.

Career Pathway

Chattanooga State, AAS Civil Engineering Technology

Median Hourly Wage: $20.20 | Occupational Outlook Handbook

Photo of plumber.

Plumber, Pipefitter, and Steamfitter

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair pipes that carry liquids or gases to, from, and within businesses, homes, and factories.

Career Pathway

Plumbers & Steam Fitters UA Local 43

Median Hourly Wage: $24.34 | Occupational Outlook Handbook

Photo of a brick mason.

Mason

Masonry workers, also known as masons, use bricks, concrete blocks, concrete, and natural and manmade stones to build walls, walkways, fences, and other masonry structures.

Career Pathway

In development.

Median Hourly Wage: $19.06 | Occupational Outlook Handbook

Photo of a Heavy Equiptment Operator.

Heavy Equipment Operator

Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures.

Career Pathway

Chattanooga State Workforce Development, Heavy Equipment Operator

Median Hourly Wage: $21.06 | Occupational Outlook Handbook

Photo of an electrician.

Electrician

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories.

Career Pathway

Chattanooga Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Center
TCAT Industrial Electricity

Median Hourly Wage: $24.94 | Occupational Outlook Handbook

Photo of a construction estimator.

Construction Estimator

Construction estimators collect and analyze data in order to estimate the time, money, materials, and labor required to construct a building.

Career Pathway

2+2 between Chattanooga State and UTC:
Start at Chattanooga State with the AAS Construction Engineering Technology and finish at UTC with BS Construction Management.

Median Hourly Wage: $29.03 | Occupational Outlook Handbook

Photo of a Construction Project Manager.

Construction Project Manager

Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.

Career Pathway

2+2 between Chattanooga State and UTC:
Start at Chattanooga State with the AAS Construction Engineering Technology and finish at UTC with BS Construction Management.

Median Hourly Wage: $42.02 | Occupational Outlook Handbook

Photo of a civil engineering technician.

Civil Engineering Technician

Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers to plan, design, and build highways, bridges, utilities, and other infrastructure projects. They also help to plan, design, and build commercial, industrial, residential, and land development projects.

Career Pathway

Chattanooga State, AAS Civil Engineering Technology

Median Hourly Wage: $23.68 | Occupational Outlook Handbook

Photo of a Civil Drafter.

Civil Drafter

Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers, often called PV installers, assemble, install, or maintain solar panel systems on roofs or other structures.

Career Pathway

Chattanooga State, AAS Civil Engineering Technology 

Median Hourly Wage: $25.35 | Occupational Outlook Handbook

Photo of a building inspector.

Construction and Building Inspector

Construction and building inspectors ensure that construction meets local and national building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.

Career Pathway

Chattanooga State, AAS Construction Engineering Technology

Median Hourly Wage: $27.57 | Occupational Outlook Handbook

Photo of a carpenter.

Carpenter

Carpenters construct and repair building frameworks and structures—such as stairways, door frames, partitions, rafters, and bridge supports—made from wood and other materials. They also may install kitchen cabinets, siding, and drywall.

Career Pathway

Tri-State Carpenters and Millwright Training Center

Median Hourly Wage: $20.24 | Occupational Outlook Handbook

Photo of welder.

Welder

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers use hand-held or remotely controlled equipment to join or cut metal parts. They also fill holes, indentations, or seams of metal products.

Career Pathway

Iron Workers Local 704 Apprenticeship Program
Chattanooga State AAS Welding Engineering Technology
​TCAT Welding

Median Hourly Wage: $18.34 | Occupational Outlook Handbook

About TNBCI

Past Accomplishments

  • Partnered with Chattanooga State to develop the  AAS in Construction Management and Construction Engineering Technology.
  • Partnered with UTC to establish the BS and MS in Construction Management.
  • Partnered with Power Equipment Company (Komatsu) to utilize over $750,000.00 worth of new equipment (at no cost to the College) for Heavy Construction Equipment Operator program.
  • Received $47,500.00 Shortage Skills grant through the Tennessee DOL for Heavy Construction Equipment Operator program.
  • Received $99,000.00 grant from the Tennessee DOL for pre-construction prep training program.
  • Partnered with Stowers Machinery (Caterpillar) to utilize $175,000.00 worth of equipment (at no cost to the College)  for Heavy Construction Equipment Operator program.
  • East Tennessee Grading, Inc. allocated 20 acres of land for use by the  Heavy Construction Equipment Operator program (at no cost).
  • Received $55,000.00 grant through the Tennessee Board of Regents for tools and equipment for TTC construction programs.
  • Associated General Contractors of East Tennessee established a scholarship endowment for students attending ChSCC or UTC studying a construction discipline and give $50,000 to students annually.

Events

Currently no events scheduled. Check back later.

Current Initiatives

  • Facilitate and support the 2+2 transfer between Chattanooga State and UTC for Construction Management.
  • Recruit more high school graduates into the existing construction education and training programs through outreach and promotion.
  • Provide opportunities for students to intern and job shadow.
  • Actively engage with our education and training partners through classroom involvement, advisory boards, and supporting construction-related student organizations.
  • Develop solutions to provide and support needed craft training for our region.

Executive Committee

Harry Hawkins
Chairperson | Terracon

Jimmy Lail
Vice Chairperson | Raines Brothers

Dallas Rucker
Secretary | City of Chattanooga

Nick Adams
Adams Masonry

John Maynard
Hamilton Co. Dept. of Education

Tony Boals
Wright Brothers Construction

Tim McGhee
AGC of East Tennessee

Paul Baggett
UTC Construction Management

Crystal Gordon​
Chattanooga State Construction Engineering Technology

Lulu Copeland
Chattanooga State Workforce Development

Jim Barrott
TCAT Chattanooga

Industry Partners