The construction industry is the second largest employer in the nation. Of the 116 million workers in the U.S., more than 6 million workers or 5.1 percent are employed in the construction industry. (US Dept of Labor)
Over the next ten years, the demand for construction services will be astronomical. The United States will need to replace 375,000 bridges as part of $360 billion spent on roadwork. Mass transit will need $72 billion worth of construction. The nation’s infrastructure will use $3.3 trillion in construction and related services. We will need to repair or renovate one out of three schools at a cost of $60 billion. (Associated General Contractors of America 2004)
Members of the Chattanooga construction industry–comprised of contractors, developers, architects, and affiliates–have had a strong desire for a four-year degree program in Construction Management to educate future construction managers, superintendents, estimators, and business owners.
AGC check presentation, from left: Cary Davis, Chairman of the
Board of AGC; Dr. James Catanzaro; Dr. Neslihan Alp, Director of
Engineering Management and Graduate Programs and UC
Foundation Associate Professor; Chancellor Roger Brown
A partnership with The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Engineering and Computer Science, Chattanooga State Community College, Cleveland State Community College and Associated General Contractors (AGC) of East Tennessee has announced the establishment of a degree in Construction Management to begin this fall.
Currently, no colleges or universities in the state of Tennessee offer a baccalaureate or graduate program in Construction Management.
The B.S. in Engineering Technology Management (ETM) with the concentration in Construction Management at UTC will provide graduates with the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that are valued and sought by the construction industry both locally and regionally. The new program also can be taken as a 2+2 degree program with the Chattanooga State and Cleveland State Community Colleges.
Chancellor Roger Brown expressed his excitement about the partnership formed by these higher education institutions, saying he was “especially thankful to the leaders and members of the Associated General Contractor of East Tennessee, who see the value of an educated workforce and are willing to step forward with actual resources to bring to reality a solution to this need.”
Associated General Contractors (AGC) of East Tennessee is the major sponsor of this program. A three-year grant of $150,000 from AGC of East Tennessee will be used to hire a faculty member in the Construction Management or related area to develop and teach most of the specialty courses. AGC of East Tennessee will also provide scholarships for qualified students who want to pursue a degree in Construction Management.
Roger D. Tuder, President/CEO for AGC, said AGC has focused a large portion of its energy and resources toward addressing the educational skill sets for all levels of the construction profession.
AGC’s first public/private relationship began with East Ridge High School with the formation of the construction Career Academy. AGC then worked with Chattanooga State to develop the Building and Construction Institute of the Southeast, where three associate degree programs will now transition into the construction management baccalaureate degree at UTC.
“Today, the leadership of UTC has assumed additional responsibility and commitment to our community. UTC will prepare, educate and train our future professional construction workforce that will be sought after throughout our region,” said Tuder.
This degree program requires 127 hours. Major and related courses are in the areas of Engineering, Engineering Management, Accounting, Management, English and Mathematics.
Chancellor Roger Brown greets Chattanooga State President Dr. James Catanzaro
Roger D. Tuder, President/CEO of AGC
Chancellor Roger Brown
